The New Oxford Colonials (1-4) opened up Division II play at home Friday night facing off against the Northeastern Bobcats (3-2) on Band Night. With a win, either team could get a leg up going down the road and possibly be competing for a division title.
The Colonials got off to a fast start, intercepting Northeastern quarterback Alec Miller’s pass on the Bobcats opening drive of the game. New Oxford would capitalize on the turnover, going to the ground game, and eventually the ball was punched into the end zone by running back Wes Beans on a three-yard run. On the ensuing possession by Northeastern, the Bobcats marched their way down field, also relying on the run game to eventually have running back Daniel Adams break a 25-yard touchdown run, but the extra point was missed, giving the Colonials a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second, Adams found zone nod zone once again, this time wit
h a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The Bobcats added a two-point conversion, to take a 14-7 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball landed between a load of Colonial players causing one player to muff the kick, allowing Northeastern to recover with great field position. On the first play after the muffed kick, Northeastern QB Alec Miller found wide receiver Braheem Riley on a pretty 27-yard lob for yet another touchdown, which was followed by another two-point conversion. In a matter of nine seconds, the Bobcats had taken the lead 22-7.
Both teams remained silent for the rest of the half and all the way through the third quarter with nobody scoring. Early in the fourth, the Colonials found the end zone again on a fourth and three, when quarterback Anthony Lippy connected with running back Aaron Zinneman on a 13-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Northeastern lead to 22-14. The Bobcats responded on their next drive, moving right down the field and scoring on a six-yard touchdown run by Miller. The Bobcats held on defense, and would end up winning by a final score of 28-14.
The Bobcats put up almost 300 yards on the Colonial defense, while the OX were only able to manage 149 total yards. Northeastern’s, Daniel Adams led the Bobcat offense with 141 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while quarterback Alec Miller went 4-11 passing for 40 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Colonials were paced by junior running back, Wes Beans, who had 87 yards on the ground while senior RB Nick Slusser added another 49 yards rushing.
With the loss, the Colonials fall to (1-5) and (0-1) in Division II play. The OX will look to rebound and snap their 4-game losing streak next week at their homecoming game, taking on the Rams of Kennard-Dale who have not won a game this season.
