KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 5, 2025) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy football team forced four interceptions, including a pick-six, and had three different players score rushing touchdowns in a 29-15 victory over Montclair State on Friday night at Brooks Stadium in front of an enormous crowd for Parents Weekend. The Mariners opened their season at 1-0, while the Red Hawks fell to 0-1.
 
Game Links

• Box Score
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Head Coach Jameson Croall
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Sophomore Bubba Mustain

Sophomore quarterback Bubba Mustain (Oro Valley, Ariz.) led the ground game with 130 rushing yards on 21 carries and one touchdown. Junior Jake Kenney (Lisbon, Conn.) added a 12-yard rushing score, and sophomore Blake Griffin (Montrose, Colo.) punched in an early one-yard touchdown run. Freshman Karson Bye (Liberty Hill, Texas) converted two extra points and drilled a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
 
The Mariners opened the scoring with Griffin's 1-yard plunge midway through the first quarter to cap a nine-play, 38-yard drive. Montclair State answered later in the period with a two-yard touchdown run from Tyler Jackson, leaving the game tied 6-6.
 
In the second quarter, the defense broke through when sophomore Blayne Shiraki (Honolulu, Hawaii) intercepted a pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown, giving USMMA a 12-6 lead. The Red Hawks picked up a safety late in the half, but the Mariners responded on the final play of the second quarter when Bye connected on his 31-yard FGA to make it 15-8 at the break.
 
Kenney extended the lead in the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run to cap a nine-play drive. Montclair State closed the gap with Jackson's second touchdown of the game, a six-yard run that cut the margin to 22-15 heading into the fourth.
 
Mustain sealed the win with a 41-yard touchdown sprint midway through the fourth quarter, finishing off another nine-play scoring drive. The defense then closed out the game by keeping Montclair State off the scoreboard in the final period.
 
The Mariners' defense highlighted the win with four interceptions, including Shiraki's pick-six, and held Montclair State to just 169 total yards of offense. Junior Aidan Graham (Allen, Texas) and sophomore Fitz Kennedy (Bertram, Texas) tied for the team lead with six tackles apiece. USMMA also limited the Red Hawks to 2-of-10 on third downs.
 
USMMA outgained the Red Hawks, 351-169, rushing for 285 yards on 64 attempts, and the Mariners earned 20 first downs compared to 14 for MSU.
 
The Red Hawks were led by Jackson, who rushed for 41 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Luke Henrich went 8-for-19 for 60 yards but was intercepted four times.
 
Merchant Marine continues non-conference play next Saturday, Sept. 13, with a road game at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Bison's Vendetti Field.

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