BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Gallaudet University football team couldn't weather the turnover storm it created here Saturday in a 27-13 non-conference loss to the University of New England (UNE) at Blue Storm Stadium.

Gallaudet (0-3) was within one score as the teams headed into the fourth quarter. The Bison abandoned the run and aired it out to the tune of 2-for-6, 23 yards, two interceptions and a fumbled snap on a passing play to end any chance of a comeback.

GU's fourth quarter drives lasted 1:48 or less with two drives only taking two plays and 41 and 26 seconds, respectively. The Bison rushed four times for 27 yards during the first two fourth-quarter drives but the turnovers throwing the ball was the difference.

The Bison didn't receive any favors as one incomplete pass, midway through the fourth quarter, looked to be aided by pass interference but no flag was thrown. It would've given the Bison new life in the red zone instead GU was forced to punt from its own 40 down seven, 20-13.

Two plays later, University of New England sophomore quarterback Chris Lang (24-for-30, 224 yards, two touchdowns) threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver AJ DeFilio (four receptions, 91 yards) to put the home team up two scores, 27-13.

Gallaudet didn't respond as a second pass play on the ensuing drive turned into a second interception in the quarter. UNE sophomore defensive back Spencer Sherck (seven tackles) picked the pass off and returned it 38 yards to the Gallaudet 21.

The Nor'Easters (1-2) ran the clock down on the possession and went for it on fourth-and-7. A bad snap past Lang would've given the Bison the ball at their own 36 but a 5-yard penalty was called on the defensive line. GU stilled stopped the Nor'Easters to turn the ball over on downs but the drive began at the Gallaudet 13 with 2:28 left on the clock.

Junior quarterback Gabe Segovia (Glendale, Ariz.) completed a 19-yard pass to senior Brandon Washington (Citronelle, Ariz.) to pick-up a quick first down. The drive ended on the next play as a low snap was bobbled and fumbled away by Segovia, his third turnover in the quarter.

The two teams played a scoreless first quarter as they combined for six punts. GU was driving early in the second quarter as the Bison got to the UNE 20 but fumbled the ball away on the sixth play of the drive.

University of New England capitalized on the turnover and drove 74 yards on six plays for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.

Gallaudet countered with its longest drive of the game (11 plays, 75 yards) as the buff and blue chewed up six minutes and 15 seconds of the play clock. The drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown leap by Washington at the goal line. The Bison missed the point after attempt and trailed 7-6.

The Nor'Easters tacked on a 35-yard Jack Niland field goal to send the teams into halftime with UNE up four, 10-6, in its home opener before a crowd of 1,153.

UNE began the third quarter with a bang as sophomore running back Damien Jones picked up half of his game-high 107 yards on one 54-yard touchdown run at the 14:10 mark as the Nor'Easters increased their lead to 17-6.

GU trailed 20-6 late in the third before it started a new drive from its own 40. Segovia dropped back on the first play and hit Washington for a 60-yard touchdown. The Bison got the extra-point kick as they were back in the game only down one score, 20-13.

Washington finished the game with 163 yards of total offense as he ran for one touchdown and caught one touchdown for the Bison. The starting quarterback ran the ball 15 times for 45 yards, caught four passes for 91 yards and completed 3-of-5 passes for 27 yards.

Segovia was 4 for 10 under center for 91 yards as all four completions were targeted at Washington.

Senior superback Dre'Vaughn Mackall (Prince Frederick, Md.) rushed for a team-high 88 yards on 16 carries.

Gallaudet finished the game with 265 yards of offense with 147 coming on the ground. UNE tallied 359 yards of offense with 233 coming through the air.

Junior defensive back Joshua Saaty (Ada, Okla.) led the Bison defense with 11 tackles (eight solo). Senior linebacker Jacob Hartman (Petersburg, W.Va.) added nine tackles (six solo) which included 2.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards and a sack for a loss of 12 and one pass breakup.

GU junior defensive back/punter Andrae' Green (Washington, D.C.) had a busy day as he punted the ball seven times for 219 yards (31.3 avg.) and a long of 52 yards. Green had three punts land inside the 20 with one touchback. Gallaudet's offense had eight three-and-out drives.

BISON TRACKS

• This was the third meeting between the two schools since 2022
• UNE now leads the series 2-1
• Gallaudet's last win against the Nor'Easters was Sept. 17, 2022, with a 34-31 road win

UP NEXT
Gallaudet returns home to host the George Mason University club team next Saturday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. under the lights at Hotchkiss Field.