Brenna McCoubrey
Staff Writer
It was redemption week at Springfield College as the Pride hosted the University of Rochester this past Saturday afternoon during Family and Friends Weekend.
A year ago during this same competition, the Pride lost a Liberty League heartbreaker, 36-35. The Rochester Yellowjackets scored a touchdown and rushed for a two-point conversion with no time on the clock leaving the Springfield football team with their heads hanging low. A devastating loss for the Pride for sure, however their 63-27 redemption this past Saturday was particularly special.
Quarterback, Jonathon Marrero carried the Pirde with 190 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Keith Rodman totaled 164 yards, averaging 10.9 yards per carry, while finding the end zone three times. Stephen Speidel carried the ball 12 times for 82 yards and earned the title of Second Liberty League Rookie of the Week.
The stands were filled with parents and siblings as they reunited with their students. The Pride was ready to play as contributions from Junior quarterback Jonathan Marrero began the afternoon with a rush for six yards to get the first points on the board with 4:10 left in the first quarter.
The fans were anxious for another touchdown as the second quarter began; it was Stephen Speidel who took the initiative rushing it in from three yards out with 13:52 left to play in the half. Not long after at 11:05, Marrero ran for another touchdown, racking up 64 yards in the process to keep Springfield in the lead.
“I thought he played and made decisions well because everything we do he has to make a decision on,” Head Coach Mike DeLong said about his quarterback. “He played a strong game, obviously, when you get that many points. He’s distributed the ball in the right place.”
Even with the Pride leading at the break 42-0, the stands were full of family and friends eager for the third quarter to start and for Springfield to continue to run away with the game.
Charging the field to finish what they started, the Pride expected to jump on the next play but as Rochester began with the ball they were able to reach the end zone for their first touchdown of the game at 12:56.
Another touchdown was completed by the Yellowjackets only a few minutes later and after another failed Springfield drive, Rochester found their half-time deficit cut in half. With the Yellow Jackets taking control in the second half, the Pride could think back to what happened last year.
“After last year, where they beat us by one point, they celebrated all over us. Thankfully we were able to finish this year,” Marrero stated.
And finish they did. Despite allowing 27 points in the second half alone, the Springfield squad never let their opponents get any closer.
With a final score of 63-27, Springfield now has Union to look forward to this Saturday, October 4 at 12 p.m.
“I think it helps us get ready for Union which is going to be a strong team. They have 20 starters back and they handled us pretty well last year,” stated DeLong. “This game gives us some much needed confidence heading into next week.”