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MUSTANG CITY HEADED TO ECAC NORTH ATLANTIC BOWL
The Mount Ida College football program has gained their first ever berth into the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) post-season tournament to compete in the North Atlantic Bowl under the direction of third year head coach Michael Landers. The Mustangs, who finished the 2010 regular season with an overall record of 6-4, will travel to Springfield College (8-2) who will host their second straight ECAC Division III championship bowl game in as many years. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field on the campus of the Pride in Springfield, Massachusetts.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the program," said third year head coach Michael Landers. "We've overcome so much adversity throughout this season to make it to this point; we're starting to be rewarded for our efforts."
The six victories the Mustangs posted this year ties the record for wins in a season in the program's 11 year history when Mount Ida went 6-2 in 2005 under former head coach Edward Sweeney who was at the helm.
"You keep fighting for the things that you want," said Landers. "The kids are getting older and have fought hard. They want to win, winning is what's important to them."
It will be the third straight year that Mount Ida will play Springfield. In 2008, the Pride defeated Mount Ida, 43-23, at Stagg Field. In 2009, Springfield defeated the Mustangs again on homecoming, 42-15, in Newton, Massachusetts at Mount Ida Athletic Stadium.
This will be Mount Ida's first trip to any post-season including NCAA and ECAC tournaments. The Pride on the other hand has competed nine post-season games in a 16 year span between the two tournaments (NCAA, ECAC). The three times previous competing in the ECAC's Springfield defeated Cortland, 49-26, in 1995, beat Fitchburg State, 53-7 in 2004, and defeated Plymouth State, 42-13, a year ago.
These two teams have had two common opponents this season. The Pride took home a 51-0 shutout over non-conference Husson University back in week two while Mount Ida defeated Husson 25-23 in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) play during week eight. Springfield defeated Hartwick 39-20 on October 30 while the Hawks beat Mount Ida 27-12 on November 13 in a non-conference match-up.
Mount Ida College sophomore quarterback Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) has been under center the entire season for the Mustangs. Drosendahl has been outstanding the entire year throwing for a record-high 21 touchdowns this season. He has averaged 216.2 yards a game through the air and has an efficiency rating of 142.19.
Most of his touchdown passes have found the hands of wide receiver Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) whose 11 touchdown catches this season have made him one of the most prolific offensive threats the Mustangs have ever had. After Saturday's contest, Lynch, who needs 14 yards (986) to reach the 1,000 mark, will become the only Mount Ida receiver to have eclipsed the number as a receiver in a season ever in the record books.
After a season ending injury to Mount Ida's CDS pre-season All-American Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney), senior running back Paul Shaughnessy (Malden, MA/Northeast Metro Regional) has filled in nicely with the departure of Bunch. Shaughnessy, who is offensive guru through the air or on the ground, has recorded a combined 12 total scores, six rushing and six through the air. Bunch, who was only able to play in six of the 10 regular season games played, ended 2010 with 13 total touchdowns averaging 137.2 yards rushing a game.
The Mount Ida offensive line has also been a key contributor to the success of the offense this season and will be a key factor in the match-up versus the Pride on Saturday.
The Mustang defense has been anchored by solid overall play at the line featuring outstanding individual play from sophomore defensive end A.J. Knibbs (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) who is third in the country through all of NCAA Division III play with 12.5 sacks. Freshman E.J. Murray (New Haven, CT/Wilbur Cross) and sophomore Michael Brockenberry (West Haven, CT/West Haven) are the top two tacklers for the Mustangs this season both who reside in the linebacker position. Murray leads Mount Ida in tackles with 58.5 total, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. Brockenberry has been solid picking up where he left off last year with 57 total tackles, five sacks, and an interception.
Traveling to the game? See the links below for all your North Atlantic Bowl information.
TICKET PRICES
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket gate entering Amos Alonzo Stagg Field
$5 Adults
$3 Students
Ages 5 and under free
INTERESTED IN TAKING THE FAN BUS? CLICK HERE
DIRECTIONS TO AMOS ALONZO STAGG FIELD/SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE HERE
If you have any questions about any aspect of the game please feel free to contact Mount Ida College Sports Information Director Gregory Antonelli via phone 617-928-7202 or e-mail gantonelli@mountida.edu at any time!
GO MUSTANGS!
