CASTLETON, Vt. – Gallaudet University's football team ran into the record book Saturday with a 38-12 victory over Castleton State College in a showdown between two Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) foes before 2,100 at Spartan Stadium. The Bison racked up a season best 480 rushing yards on 72 attempts (average 6.7 yards per carry) and won its sixth straight game to give GU its best start in school history as a varsity program.
Gallaudet (6-0, 3-0 ECFC) outscored Castleton 17-0 in the second half after the Bison took a 21-12 lead into halftime. The Spartans (1-5, 0-3 ECFC) only had four possessions in the second half and were forced to punt twice and turn the ball over on downs twice. The Bison ran out the final five minutes of the game to secure the win. GU, who is leading Division III in time of possession, held the ball for 34 minutes, 30 seconds.
"I am really proud of this team! Our student-athletes have bought into this program and put in all the hard work to help us get to where we are right now," said Gallaudet coach Chuck Goldstein. "We are taking things one game at a time. We are looking forward to returning home next week and hope we have a strong crowd for another big ECFC game."
Sophomore running back BJ Flores (Raymondville, Texas) ran for a new career-high 168 yards on 27 carries to top his previous mark of 166, which was set two weeks ago.
Senior running back Ryan Bonheyo (Frederick, Md.) and sophomore quarterback Quentin Williams (Chesapeake, Va.) led the Bison with two rushing touchdowns each. Bonheyo scored GU's first score on the day on the first offensive play of the game for the Bison. He rushed 17 yards into the end zone, a minute into the first quarter, as Gallaudet led 7-0. Bonheyo (70 rushing yards) scored his fifth touchdown of the season with a sweep right from six yards out late in the third quarter as GU led 31-12. Williams scored the game's final score with a 10-yard quarterback keeper up the middle to start the fourth quarter. Williams (68 rushing yards) scored his first touchdown at the 5:58 mark in the second quarter after the Spartans got on the scoreboard. Williams' run from the Castleton 2 gave Gallaudet a 21-6 lead. The Spartans tacked on a second Michael Toczko (47 rushing yards) touchdown before the break.
Sophomore running back Braxton Baker (Webb City, Mo.) was Gallaudet's second leading rusher as he tallied 83 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown early in the second quarter. Baker took a pitch left and headed into the end zone from five yards out as the Bison led 14-0.
Sophomore kicker Chase Magsig (Hudsonville, Mich.) made a career best 38-yard field goal to cap Gallaudet's first possession in the third quarter. Magsig was a perfect 5-for-5 on his point after attempts in the game.
Castleton quarterback Tyler Higley finished the game 12-for-30 for 144 passing yards and ran the ball eight times for 38 yards. Tyler Combs was the leading receiver with four receptions for 59 yards. Todd Carr led the Spartan defense with 20 tackles (four solos).
Junior linebacker Jaris Alleyne (Waldorf, Md.) led the Bison with 12 tackles and one tackle for a loss of two yards. Fellow junior linebacker Gregg McConville (Frederick, Md.) recorded 10 tackles and had 1.5 tackles for a loss of one yard.
The previous best start in Gallaudet history for a varsity program happened in 1987 when the Bison won their first five games and finished with a 9-1 record.
GU now holds a 3-2 series record over the Spartans. The Bison were lucky to leave the game without an injury to a quarterback as Castleton St. ended the season for Todd Bonheyo (Frederick, Md.) last year and Williams in 2011.
The Bison will host Husson University (4-2, 3-0 ECFC) on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. on Homecoming Day at Hotchkiss Field.