BRONX, N.Y. (Sept. 28, 2024) – A record-setting touchdown pass to senior Talsen Smith (Roseville, Calif.) early in the fourth quarter proved decisive as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy football team overcame a 10-point, third-quarter deficit to defeat SUNY Maritime, 23-20, to open NEWMAC action. USMMA improved to 3-0 (1-0 NEWMAC), while SUNY Maritime dropped to 2-2 (0-1 NEWMAC).
 
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• Box Score

Smith hauled in 11 receptions for 197 yards and the go-ahead TD that made him the program's all-time career-leader with 31 receiving touchdowns. Junior QB Gervy Alota (San Diego, Calif.) completed 11-of-19 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, while adding 11 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore fullback Will Surdez (Colts Neck, N.J.), meanwhile, carried 36 times for 143 yards and a touchdown.
 
Sophomore Jonathan Hardy (Savannah, Ga.) recorded a team-high eight tackles, including two tackles for loss, while senior Jack Temple (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) contributed seven tackles with three for loss. Senior C.J. Livesay (Morristown, Tenn.) had 1.0 sack and sophomore Zatyk Holub (Mount Vernon, Iowa) grabbed one interception.
 
A 40-yard pass to Smith on the game's opening drive set USMMA up with first and goal on the 10-yard line, but an illegal shift penalty moved the ball back five yards and the Mariners eventually settled for a 3-0 lead courtesy of a 24-yard field goal by junior Frank Morizio (Oceanside, N.Y.).
 
The Privateers also had first and goal on the 10-yard line on their ensuing possession, but came away with no points as the Mariners forced an incomplete pass on fourth and goal from the 8-yard line.
 
USMMA could not take advantage of the turnover-on-downs, however, as an interception near midfield gave the ball back to Maritime. Five plays and 38 yards later, Maritime was in the endzone and led 6-3 after a failed two-point conversion with 2:48 left in the first quarter.
 
Pinned back at their own 11-yard line following a punt early in the second quarter, the Mariners responded with a 10-play, 89-yard drive that culminated with a one-yard rushing TD by Alota that put USMMA back on top, 10-6.
 
After forcing another turnover-on-downs late in the second quarter, USMMA fumbled on a rushing attempt to give Maritime the ball back with 4:43 left before halftime. The Privateers took advantage with a one-yard rushing TD on fourth-and-goal to grab a 13-10 advantage at the break.
 
Maritime opened the second half with a 55-yard kickoff return to the USMMA 20-yard line. Two plays later the Privateers led, 20-10, after finding paydirt on a 16-yard rushing TD with 14:08 left in the third quarter.
 
USMMA cut into the deficit with a 12-play, 80-yard TD drive that featured 11 rushes. Surdez capped the drive with a two-yard TD run that pulled the Mariners to within 20-17 with 2:39 left in the third quarter.
 
After the USMMA defense forced a quick three-and-out before the quarter expired, a 20-yard punt return to the 35-yard line by freshman Chase Laux (Oro Valley, Ariz.) helped set up the decisive TD drive for the Mariners. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Alota found Smith for a 20-yard reception. Surdez followed with a five-yard rush before Alota found Smith in the endzone for a 21-yard TD that gave USMMA a 23-20 lead with 14:08 left to play.
 
The USMMA defense took over from there as the next four Privateer possessions included a three-and-out, a fumble, another three-and-out and an interception.
 
The Mariners host Salve Regina in NEWMAC play on Oct. 5 at noon.
 
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