The United States Coast Guard Academy emerged with its first-ever win in Newport, defeating Salve Regina University 36-31 on Friday afternoon in a wild back-and-forth second half that ended with the Bears stopping the Seahawks on a turnover at the one-yard line after the two-minute timeout.
Salve Regina celebrated Senior Day, recognizing 38 individuals with outstanding contributions to the program over the last four years.
The Seahawks opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal from Nathan DiRado (Carver, Mass.) on their second drive of the game. Coast Guard responded in the second quarter when Sean Burns completed a pass to Matt Labouliere in the end zone, and Caleb McClure’s kick put the Bears up 7-3.
Salve Regina committed four costly fumbles in the game. Coast Guard capitalized on turnovers to build a 16-3 halftime lead, including a safety when Will Wolf tackled Justan Luzzi (Belleville, N.J.) in the end zone.
The Seahawks stormed back in the third quarter behind Luzzi, who scored three touchdowns to help Salve Regina take a 31-23 lead early in the fourth quarter. Thomas Fallon (Freehold, N.J.) capped the rally with a 12-yard quarterback keeper around the left end.
Coast Guard answered with an 11-play, 71-yard drive, with Burns converting a fourth-and-7 with a strike to Harrison Hensley in the back of the end zone. The Bears went for two but failed, trailing 31-29 with under six minutes to play.
After the Bears stripped the ball away on Salve Regina’s next possession, two rushes by Hensley (16 and 30 yards) vaulted Coast Guard ahead 36-31.
Heading into the wind on their final drive, the Seahawks drove to the Coast Guard seven-yard line. Luzzi’s carry gained six yards, but his extra effort to reach the end zone resulted in a fumble that ended the comeback attempt.
Luzzi led all players with 181 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Kyle Crampton (Merrimack, N.H.) caught eight passes for 110 yards, and Fallon completed 16 of 25 passes for 178 yards. Dallas St. Peter led all players with 14 tackles, including 11 solo.
The win improved Coast Guard to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the NEWMAC. Salve Regina fell to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Seahawks lead the all-time series 7-2.
Salve Regina travels to WPI next Saturday and then Norwich University the following weekend to finish out its regular season.
Story courtesy of Salve Regina Athletics, https://salveathletics.com/news/2025/11/1/football-salve-regina-versus-coast-guard.aspx