WASHINGTON - It was a nip-and-tuck first half of football between Gallaudet University and Husson University as the Bison hung tough with the three-time defending Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) champions. In the second half, the visiting Eagles pulled away en route to a 48-21 victory Saturday afternoon before 3,169 sun-drenched homecoming fans at Hotchkiss Field.

Gallaudet (2-5, 2-2 ECFC) scored its first touchdown right before halftime when freshman running back DeMichael Shelbon (Monroe, La.) rumbled in from two yards out to cut Husson's lead in half, 14-7. Time ran out on the Eagles' chance to add to their lead as they took the seven-point lead into halftime.

Husson (6-1, 4-0 ECFC) broke open the game with a 21-point third quarter behind the running of senior John Smith. The two-time ECFC Offensive Player of the Year tallied 186 yards on 23 carries and scored two of his four touchdowns in the third. Eagles quarterback Cory Brandon (18 of 25, 296 yards) hit Kyle Gaudet (seven receptions, 151 yards) on a 70-yard touchdown strike at the 8:47 mark in the decisive third quarter. Husson scored touchdowns on its first five possessions of the second half.

The Bison outscored Husson 14-13 in the fourth quarter as freshman quarterback Bryce Marion (Hudson, Wis.) threw a pair of touchdown passes. Marion's first two collegiate passes were touchdowns. The right-handed signal caller delivered under the pressure as he faced fourth down and 10. Marion stepped up and hit junior wide receiver L.J. Watson (Fayetteville, N.C.), on the run, for a 24-yard touchdown pass at the 12:40 mark in the fourth quarter. His next pass went for 46-yards and a second score as freshman RJ Randle (McCalla, Ala.) caught the pass straight down the middle of the field and ran into the end zone.

The two teams were scoreless in the first quarter. GU's defense forced Husson to turn the ball over on downs on its first three possessions that ended inside the red zone.

BISON TRACKS

• Freshman slot Darrion Green (DeSoto, Texas) led the Bison with 58 rushing yards on nine carries
• Senior slot Joell Dixon (Brandywine, Md.) finished the game with 10 rushes for 56 yards
• Sophomore linebacker Mason Gooch (Mount Sterling, Ky.) led the defense with 10 tackles
• Junior linebacker Louie Akuffo (Bowie, Md.) added nine tackles
• Husson had 575 yards of total offense while GU tallied 284 yards of offense
• The Eagles did not make a punt in the game

UP NEXT
Gallaudet wil close out its home schedule next Saturday, Oct. 28, at noon against Dean College (3-3, 1-2 ECFC). Prior to the start of the game the program will pay tribute to its senior class.