US Merchant Marine 33, WPI 14 

Box Score

Kings Point, NY - Trailing 14-13 at the break, the United States Merchant Marine Academy dominated the second half with 20 unanswered points en route to wining its Liberty League opener over Worchester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 33-14.

After both teams, failed to gain any substantial yardage on their respective opening drives of the third quarter, the Mariner offense put together an impressive 11- play, 84-yard drive in 4:48 elapsed time to reclaim the lead, 20-14.

Junior quarterback Chuck Kleinschnitz opened the drive with a 13-yard completion to senior wide receiver Jake Miller. Following a John Watson four-yard rush, Kleinschnitz moved the chains once more with a nine-yard strike to senior Jon Spiropoulos. Watson powered his way for six, followed by a nine-yard scamper for first down by Kleinschnitz to put the Mariners in Engineer territory. After a Watson two-yard rush, Kleinschnitz took to the air with consecutive nine-yard completions to Preston Morgan and Khalil Khan, respectively, moving USMMA into the red zone. Watson inched the Mariners closer with a four-yard run to the eight yard line. On third and six, the Mariners capped the drive as Kleinschnitz zipped a pass to freshman wide out Grant Wright on a slant pattern for an eight-yard score.

USMMA did not give up any ground defensively on the ensuing WPI possession. Miller was though to have his second punt return of the day, but what would have been a 63-yard return was questionably called back by a clip.

The penalty proved costly three plays later as Kleinschnitz forced a pass into double coverage and was picked off by Mike Hansen.

But once again, the Mariners defense answered the call with an Engineer three-and-out and capped off their solid effort with special teams. On fourth-and-seven from the Engineer 31-yard line, Khan found a crease and blocked the punt of Tom Ryan. The ball ricocheted off Khan's chest 17-yards backwards into the end zone. There to plop on the loose rock was senior tri-captain Frank Dore to give the Mariners a 26-14 advantage after the failed two-point try.

"We done a decent job with return, so I thought we'd take a shot with an all-out block," remarked second year head coach Mike Toop '77. "Khan came clean and it was a race to the end zone."

Three Engineers possessions later, Dore slammed the door shut with a 26-yard interception for touchdown to leave no doubt.

"Frank has a great presence and is a good leader," said Toop. "He made a great break on the ball, followed his blockers and took it to the house."

Kleinschnitz finished the game with a hard earned 133 passing yards. He completed 10-of-20 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions. His counterpart, Rob Pantalone concluded the day throwing for 198 yards on 17-of-47 passes with one touchdown and three interceptions. Pantalone was hurried the entire second half and w sacked three times.

Watson led the Merchant Marine rushing attack with 53 yards on 14 carries. Khan added 27 yards on five carries. Adam Franco, who hauled in a 51 yard pass to open the game, led the USMMA receivers with 58 yards on two grabs. Mike Butler hauled in seven passes for a game-high 91 yards for WPI.

Defensively, Dore led the Mariners with 10 tackles (six solo), two interceptions, two touchdowns (fumble recovery/interception), two pass break ups and one quarterback hurry. Senior Pat McTigue finished the day with nine stops, while Art Dahlin and Edgington added eight each. Dahlin recorded two sacks on the night.

"We played a poor second quarter," said Toop. "We've played from behind before. Even though we lost last week, we dominated the second half. We've been fortunate to play real well in the second half and that's what I threw at the defense at the break. Offensively we struggled, but in the second half, Watson made a big run and got the offensive line charged. Chuck did a better job finding his receivers. I was pleased with our opening drive that went 84 yards."

In the first half, the Mariners got on the board on their opening possession. Sophomore kicker Geoff Troy completed a five-play, 43 yard drive with a 33-yard field goal to give USMMA a 3-0 lead.

Troy added three more two drives later, this time from 46-yards out to double the Mariner lead. USMMA tacked on seven more at the start of the second quarter courtesy Miller's 55 yard punt return for touchdown.

"I was disappointed last week with special teams," said Toop. "We got back to what we do well. We worked hard at it in practice all week. Miller has a good knack for finding a seam and making people miss."

WPI answered that score with seven of its own as Pantalone found Tom Ryan in the back of the end zone for a 17 yard TD pass. The Engineers turned a Kleinschnitz interception by Dustin Bradway into points as George Chyoghly scored from four yards out to give WPI a 14-13 lead. He led all rushers with 98 yards on 21 carries.

WPI will be back in action next Saturday when they travel to Hobart for a 1pm contest.

Release courtesy US Merchant Marine Sports Information