Gridiron Glory: A History of College Football in New England
Introduction
New England boasts a rich and storied history in college football, from the early days of intercollegiate athletics to the modern era. This article explores the evolution of the sport in the region.
The New England Conference: A Bygone Era (1923-1947)
The New England Conference (full name: New England College Conference of Intercollegiate Athletics) was a collegiate sports conference in the Eastern United States, more specifically in New England, that operated from 1923 to 1947. The conference was formed on January 29, 1923, with five charter members: Connecticut Agricultural College, University of Maine, Massachusetts Agricultural College, New Hampshire College, and Rhode Island State College. These public schools are now known as the Universities of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, respectively. Ralph D. Northeastern University, a private university, joined the conference in December 1936; by that time, Massachusetts State College (the name that Massachusetts Agricultural College adopted in 1931) was no longer a member of the conference.
The Yankee Conference and its Evolution
The Yankee Conference would become football-only in 1975 and was later absorbed by the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) in 1997. Membership changes in a rival conference, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), would give that conference six football-playing members starting in 2005-06, all of which had football in the A-10. With that, the CAA announced its football-sponsoring full members would start playing football in the CAA in 2007. Eventually, it was agreed that the A-10 would hand off management of its entire football conference to the CAA.
A Win After a Hiatus
The New England College football team secured their first win of the season against Maine Maritime Academy, 14-10, with the victory marking the program's first win after a 51-year hiatus. Maine Maritime won the toss and elected to receive the opening kick, and the Mariners marched down the field inside the Pilgrims' own 5-yard line. Starting their first drive of the game at their own 7-yard line, the Pilgrims put together a 10-play, 93-yard drive to go up, 7-0. Junior Icean Taylor (Manchester, N.H.), who lined up behind center, ran for 74 yards on the drive and capped it off with a 31-yard rushing touchdown. The Mariners responded with another lengthy drive that worked its way deep into NEC territory and resulted in a 20-yard field goal to pull the visitors closer, 7-3. The ensuing kickoff was returned 50 yards by freshman Spencer Brien (Plaistow, N.H.) to the Maine Maritime 30-yard line, but the Pilgrims were unable to turn it into points with a turnover-on-downs at the MMA 2-yard line. On their first play of the next drive, Auston Harris ran for a 98-yard score to put the Mariners up, 10-7. Midway through the third quarter, NEC appeared to have scored the go-ahead touchdown on another Taylor rush, but it was nullified by a penalty, and the Pilgrims turned it over on downs just a few plays later. With 10:12 left in the game, the Pilgrims received a punt and started their drive on their own 34-yard line with sophomore Lukas Köttstorfer (Bruckmühl, Germany) under center. He went 5-7 passing on the drive for 29 yards to lead them down inside the 10-yard line. The Mariners, in search of regaining the lead, completed a screen pass on their first play of the drive, but it was blown up by sophomore Erik Menger (Stratham, N.H.) for a 9-yard loss. Three plays later, on 4th and 6, the Pilgrims would force an incompletion to force another MMA turnover on downs. Taking over with 1:53 left in the fourth, the Pilgrims were searching for one first down to end the game. And on 3rd and 6, McDonald burst through the line for a game-clinching 15-yard run. The Pilgrims excelled on the ground as Taylor totaled 123 rushing yards on 20 carries, and McDonald added 79 more yards on 17 rush attempts. The team's 243 rushing yards are a season high. The NEC defense held the Mariners to just 10 points, the fewest points that NEC has given up in over 70 years. Sophomore Ethan Cenesca (Manchester, N.H.) led the efforts with 10 tackles and three tackles for loss. The historic win comes in NEC's first official year back after a 51-year hiatus and is the first recorded win since 1950 when the Pilgrims defeated Leicester Academy who, in 1977, became Becker College.
University of New England (UNE) Nor'easters
The New England Nor'easters football team represents the University of New England in college football at the NCAA Division III level.
Read also: Your Guide to New England Colleges
Key Moments and Traditions
Although the first Rose Bowl Game was played in 1902, it has been continuously played since the 1916 game and is recognized as the oldest bowl game by the NCAA.
Coaching History
A running total of the number of head coaches, with coaches who served separate tenures being counted only once. Interim head coaches are represented with "Int" and are not counted in the running total. "-" indicates the team played but either without a coach or no coach is on record.
UNE and Husson Football
UNE and Husson Football play the First Annual 'Lobster Trap Game'.
University of New England's Football Program
UNE makes history: Last-second field goal gives Nor'easters first-ever win. UNE hires Mike Lichten as first football coach. Is UNE ready for football with a team of its own? UNE to add varsity football and women's rugby. Lichten named UNE's first coach. First UNE head football coach 'cannot wait to get started'. UNE Athletics announces first head football coach.
Read also: The NEASC Accreditation Process
Read also: BU: Courses and Programs
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