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ºÚÁÏÍø Defeats Massachusetts, 19-7, In The First Round Of NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs

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Hamilton, NY — Junior quarterback Chris Brown connected on 17-of-37 passes for 209 and two touchdowns to lead ºÚÁÏÍø (13-0) to a 19-7 win over Massachusetts (10-3) in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA playoffs at Andy Kerr Stadium.

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ºÚÁÏÍø has won 19 straight games, and won a NCAA Division I-AA playoff for the first time since the 1982 season.

 

The victory featured a great defensive effort by the Raiders, who didn’t allow a touchdown.  UMass’ only points came off a blocked punt in the first quarter.  The Raiders allowed 299 yards ‘ 100 rushing and 199 passing.

 

The Minutemen opened the scoring with 6:43 left in the first quarter, when Leroy Brooks blocked a punt, and James Ihedigbo picked up the ball and raced 25 yards to end zone.  Mike Torres added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

 

ºÚÁÏÍø scored twice in the second quarter to take a 13-7 lead at halftime.  J.B. Gerald made the first of his two touchdown receptions on a 13-yard pass from Brown, and Lane Schwarzberg added the extra point to tie the game.

 

Later in the second quarter, ºÚÁÏÍø took advantage of the UMass fumble on a punt attempt.  C.J. Koegel dropped the snap, and ºÚÁÏÍø’s Mike Chrystie tackled him at the six-yard line.

 

Two plays later, Jamaal Branch carried for a two-yard touchdown run to put ºÚÁÏÍø ahead 13-7.  The extra point attempt was missed.

 

ºÚÁÏÍø got its insurance points with 12:57 left in the game, when Brown hit Gerald over the middle on a 30-yard touchdown pass.  ºÚÁÏÍø’s two-point extra point attempt was stopped.

 

GAME NOTES:  Branch carried 25 times for 59 yards under some very tough field conditions.  His 2,085 rushing yards this season is the fifth best total in NCAA Division I-AA history ‘ Gerald finished with seven catches for 91 yards, while Luke Graham made six receptions for 82 yards.

 

Sean McCune had 10 tackles to lead ºÚÁÏÍø, while Ryan Miller made eight ‘ Brian Anderson, who had missed the last three games with a broken foot, had an interception, while Antrell Tyson, Josh Wurst and Mike Chrystie had fumble recoveries.