NORTHFIELD, VT -- The Norwich University Cadets defeated the Coast Guard Academy Bears 31-23 at Sabine Field in Northfield, VT. Norwich's win was their third in a row in the rivalry, as they also claimed the Mug during the 2019 and 2021 seasons (the game was not contested in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic). With the win, Norwich improves to 2-3 and Coast Guard drops to 2-3.

The Bears drove down the field on their opening drive and jumped out to a 7-0 lead following a 17-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Joey Armentrout to freshman Broock Desta. The Cadets responded almost immediately as quarterback Mitchell Theal hit Trevor Chase on a 71-yard touchdown on their first offensive play of the game. The Bears went right back to work on offense on their next drive with Armentrout again hooking up with Desta, this time for a 63-yard touchdown reception. With 1:49 remaining in the opening quarter, Theal again found Chase as the Cadets answered with a 45-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 14. After a 20-yard field goal from senior Finnegan Hall to put the Bears up 17-14, the Cadets took the lead into halftime as Theal threw another long touchdown pass, this one a 58-yarder to Tykell Stewart with 1:09 left in the half.

Following halftime, the teams traded third-quarter field goals, with Norwich's Zack Buchy connecting on a 25-yarder and Hall adding his second field goal of the game, a 24-yarder with 0:53 remaining in the quarter, as the Cadets held a 24-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter. With 2:25 remaining Theal again found Chase for his third touchdown of the game, this one from three yards out. On the next drive, Hall kicked his 3rd field goal, this one from 28 yards, as the Bears drew within eight at 31-23, with 35 seconds remaining. The Bears' subsequent onside kick attempt was recovered by the Cadets who kneeled out the clock on the next play. 

On the day the Bears totaled 481 yards while the Cadets put up 482 yards of their own. Both quarterbacks (Armentrout – 346 yards and Theal – 350 yards) went over 300 yards passing. Additionally, each team had two receivers with over 100 yards in receptions. Coast Guard's Desta (seven receptions – 123 yards – two touchdowns) and senior Tafari Wall (nine receptions – 116 yards) both eclipsed the century mark. Norwich's Chase (12 receptions – 185 yards – three touchdowns) and Stewart (eight receptions – 121 yards – one touchdown) both went over 100 yards on the day.

Sophomore Ethan Lasher led the Bears with 12 tackles while senior Connor Healy contributed 11 of his own. Junior Ryan Vigo recorded his first career interception, the only turnover of the game. 

Coast Guard returns home to New London, CT next Saturday for a Parents Weekend contest with Springfield College while Norwich hits the road to take on the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.