WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gallaudet University senior quarterback Jimmy Gardner (St. Augustine, Fla.) bent over backwards to lunge into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes of play to lift the Bison past Husson University, 10-7, on Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 500 at Hotchkiss Field.

The victory is one of the biggest in Gallaudet program history as Husson entered the game in first-place of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) and had beat the Bison 49-0 last year. Gallaudet (3-2, 2-1 ECFC) takes over second-place in the ECFC behind Norwich University (2-3, 2-0 ECFC).

This is the first time since the late 1980's that Gallaudet has won back-to-back NCAA Division III football games. The Bison won a program best four straight games in 1987, a record that still stands in the modern era of football at Gallaudet.

"This is a big win for our program and the University. We did what we had to do today to win. I am proud of this team," said Gallaudet coach Ed Hottle, in his fifth season at the helm.

Gallaudet's defense caused a key turnover midway through the fourth quarter when sophomore defensive back Jared Vollmar (Delavan, Wis.) forced a fumble when he hit Husson's Andy Mondesir at the Gallaudet 48-yard line. Freshman defensive lineman Kevin Allen (Houston, Texas) pounced on the ball to give the Bison another opportunity to take a lead in the defensive battle.

"That was a big defensive stop by our defense," said Hottle. "We told our players if we kept the game close in the fourth quarter we had a chance to win."

The Bison then pounded the ball on the ground for the next 14 plays, which covered 52 yards and took nearly seven minutes off the clock, and ended with Gardner diving in for the touchdown from three yards out. On the game-winning drive Gardner and sophomore running back Michael Gimeli (Deerpark, N.Y.) split the carries. The duo slowly chipped away the yardage as the Bison marched down the field against a tired Husson defensive unit. Gimeli (19 carries, 71 yards) converted a key fourth down and one play to give the Bison their third first down of the drive.

"Jimmy showed great toughness. It was exceptional what he did out there," said Hottle. "He and Mike Gimeli were getting pounded the entire game. There were no easy yards today."

Husson (2-2, 1-1 ECFC) had a final attempt to tie or win the game but Gallaudet's defense held its ground. Eagle quarterback Jack Hersom (14-for-22, 130 yards) completed a quick pass to Jamari Young for five yards and stepped out of bounds to stop the clock with a minute and a half left. Hersom's next two passes were broken up by the GU defense as junior Neal Thompson (Brigantine, N.J.) and senior Justin Wilson (Phoenix, Ariz.) defended the passes. Husson faced fourth down and five with 1:24 left in the game. Hersom completed a pass to running back Julius Williams (17 carries, 58 yards) but he was dropped for a two-yard loss as senior Joshua Doudt (Medina, Ohio) made the crushing tackle to end the drive. Gallaudet took a knee from there to run out the clock and set-off a wild celebration as the Bison students in attendance rushed the field as the game ended.

"This is one of the biggest upsets in Gallaudet football program history," said GU Athletics Director Michael Weinstock, after the game. "I am proud of Coach Hottle and his coaches and I am really happy for our student-athletes on this accomplishment."

Gallaudet played a terrific defensive game as the Bison only allowed 100 yards on the ground against Husson, who entered averaging over 200 per game. The Bison also caused three turnovers against the Eagles. GU picked off two of Hersom's passes in the second quarter. Senior Martin Blomquist (Neptune, N.J.) picked off the first pass at the Husson 25-yard line. The turnover led to a Wilson 31-yard field goal at the 5:19 mark before halftime. The second interception occurred on the final play of the second quarter when Vollmar hauled in the Hersom heave down field at the Gallaudet 15-yard line. The Eagles led 7-3 at the half.

"We were exactly where we thought we would be at halftime," said Hottle.

Husson scored its only points on the Eagles' second drive of the game. Husson used six plays to cover 73 yards and end with a Hersom touchdown pass to PJ Dowe (two receptions, 23 yards) from eight yards out with 7:27 left in the first quarter. The big play of the drive was a 38-yard pass from Hersom to James Dobson (two receptions 43 yards) to give the Eagles first and goal.

The second half featured six punts between the two teams. The GU defense made two big stops on fourth down against the Eagles. The first was when Husson faced fourth down and three yards at the Gallaudet 33-yard line with four minutes left in the third quarter. Williams ran to the right but was met head-on by Gallaudet's Jon Van Wey (Alexandria, Va.) in a one-yard gain to give GU the ball back. The second turnover on downs occurred at the end of the game.

Freshman linebacker Tom Pangia (Hammonton, N.J.) led the Bison with nine tackles while Allen recorded seven tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Husson's Keenon Blindow and Chris Dalecki led the way for the Eagles on defense with 12 and 10 tackles, respectively.

"Our defense did a great job. They played hard all day. The defensive line hung in there and worked to contain them," said Hottle. "This is one of the top defensive performances since I have been here. The players played inspired. We knew it would be a physical game."

Gallaudet rushed for 173 yards on 58 carries and chewed up over 37 minutes of the game clock on offense. The Bison converted twice on fourth down opportunities and was 2-for-2 in the red zone against Husson.

The Bison are in the midst of a four-game homestand and will next host Norwich on Saturday, October 10, at Hotchkiss Field with the kick-off slated for Noon.

"Norwich is a great football team. It is going to take the same effort next week," said Hottle.