Box Score WORCESTER, Mass. — 

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy football team won it's NEWMAC opener, and it's third game in a row, on Saturday by overpowering the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in a 49-21 win.

Coast Guard improves to 4-1 overall and starts their NEWMAC schedule 1-0, while WPI moves to 1-3 and 0-1 in each regard. The Engineers get their chance to bounce back next Saturday when they head up to Northfield, Vermont, to take on Norwich University (1-3, 0-1).

The offense was rolling once again, accumulating 300 yards of both rushing and receiving in a game for the third time this season. Matt LaBouliere (Pipersville, Pa.) led the way in the air, catching eight passes for 119 yards and four touchdowns, while Harrison Hensley (Riverview, Fla.) was once again a force to be reckoned with on the ground by accumulating a game-high 133 rushing yards on just 18 carries. Hensley also caught three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears also enjoyed a great performance from the defense, who gave up their least amount of points in a game this season. The play-stoppers forced two fumbles and an interception while holding their hosts to 54 rushing yards on 23 attempts and allowing the Engineers to convert just six of their 15 tries on third down.

After both teams punted to start the game, Coast Guard got on the board first by way of an 11-yard touchdown pass from Sean Burns (Absecon, N.J.) to Hensley. It didn't take long for things to get better as Blake Delevan (Carlisle, Pa.) ended WPI's next drive prematurely by picking off a pass on 3rd and 3 and taking 32 yards to the house.

After Coast Guard made their hosts end the next drive with a missed field goal, Burns struck gold in the air again collaborating with LaBouliere for a 32-yard touchdown pass. WPI finally got on the board in their next drive with a 32-yarder in the air of their own, and they set themselves up with an opportunity to make it a one-score game by picking off Burns at the 13-yard line, but Coast Guard took it back by forcing a fumble after four plays.

Coast Guard was unable to score before halftime, and WPI was unable to as well coming out of it. The Bears made it 28-7 in the third quarter when Elias Duncan (El Paso, Tex.), who replaced an injured Burns at halftime, connected with LaBouliere on another 32-yard pass. The Bears defense forced another WPI punt to set up a six play, 61-yard drive which ended with another TD pass from Duncan to LaBouliere, this time for 15 yards.

WPI scored on their next one, making it a 35-14 game by capping an eight play, 71-yard drive with a ten yard touchdown pass, but Coast Guard got the points back with a seven yard pass from Duncan to LaBouliere to end a 15 play, 77 yard possession. Coast Guard's defense forced a punt again on the host's next possession, the offense took the opportunity to score again by letting Evan Granahan (Stone Ridge, Va.) power through the line for a six-yard rushing score. WPI made it 49-21 with a 28-yard touchdown pass for the last score of the game.

Burns and Duncan were both great in their split time at the shotcaller's spot, with Burns completing 11 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the first half while Duncan completed 13 for 155 yards and four touchdowns in relief. Broock Desta (San Diego, Calif.) was also a name to watch, recording 113 yards on eight catches. There was a three-way tie for the team lead in tackles at six between Delevan, William Wolf (Front Royal, Pa.), and Lucas White (Juneau, Alaska), while White and Wolf led the way in solo tackles next to Jael Cuellar (Miami, Fla.) with five each.

Bears football plays again next Saturday, heading to Throggs Neck to face SUNY Maritime College (2-2, 0-1). Coast Guard is still looking for their first ever win in football against the Privateers since Maritime joined the NEWMAC in 2023. The Bears last a 55-37 shootout when the two teams met up in New London last season.