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Result

Nassau Community College football delivered a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, shutting out Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 45-0, on Saturday at Mitchel Field. After a scoreless opening quarter, the Lions erupted for 17 points in the second quarter and 21 more in the third before adding a final touchdown late in the fourth. The victory improved Nassau to 3-3 on the season. The offense produced 371 yards and four passing touchdowns, while the defense held Thaddeus Stevens to only 74 total yards and kept the visitors off the scoreboard for all four quarters. The Lions also found the end zone in all three phases, scoring on offense, defense and special teams. With Pierre's defensive touchdown setting the tone, Outlaw throwing three scores, Ruiz finding the end zone twice and Jourdain turning a blocked field goal into an 80-yard touchdown return, the Lions used big plays throughout the afternoon.

How It Happened

The two teams traded scoreless possessions throughout the opening quarter. Thaddeus Stevens drove as far as the Nassau 30 on its opening possession, but the Lions' defense came up with its first big play when Jacques Camille and Frank Posillico Jr. combined to sack quarterback Thomas McGinnis for an eight-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt. Nassau responded with a 13-play, 59-yard drive but was also forced to punt, sending the game into the second quarter scoreless.

The Nassau defense broke the game open early in the second. With Thaddeus Stevens backed up at its own 17-yard line, Rachmani Pierre sacked McGinnis for a 16-yard loss and forced a fumble. Pierre recovered the ball at the one-yard line and returned it into the end zone for the game's first touchdown, giving Nassau a 7-0 advantage with 12:09 remaining in the half.

After another Nassau defensive stand, the offense struck quickly. Elijah Outlaw connected with Soloman Decoteau for a 60-yard touchdown on the second play of the possession, stretching the lead to 14-0 with 8:56 remaining. The Lions added another scoring drive later in the quarter, highlighted by Outlaw's 39-yard completion to Antoine Blackman on third-and-20. Matias Perez Herrera finished the 12-play, 55-yard drive with a 22-yard field goal to send Nassau into halftime leading 17-0.

Nassau wasted little time adding to its lead after halftime. Mekai Henderson opened the third quarter with a 25-yard run, and four plays later Outlaw found Tito Ruiz for a 20-yard touchdown to make it 24-0.

The defense immediately gave the ball back to the offense when Jadan Barrett intercepted McGinnis on Thaddeus Stevens' next possession. Nassau capitalized shortly afterward, as Outlaw connected with Ruiz again, this time for a 46-yard touchdown. Ruiz's second score of the quarter pushed the Lions' advantage to 31-0 with 9:14 remaining in the third.

Nassau's special teams then provided one of the biggest plays of the afternoon. Thaddeus Stevens drove inside the Lions' red zone and lined up for a 31-yard field goal, but Camille blocked the attempt. Tyson Jourdain recovered the loose ball at the Nassau 20 and raced 80 yards for a touchdown, turning a potential scoring opportunity for Thaddeus Stevens into six points for Nassau. Perez Herrera's extra point made it 38-0 with 1:53 left in the third quarter.

The Lions closed out the scoring in the final seconds. Nassau took over with 7:15 remaining and put together a long possession that eventually reached the Thaddeus Stevens 15. Stephen Kelly then connected with Elijah Wellington for a 15-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining, completing the 45-0 victory.

Notes & Standout Performers

Nassau finished with a 371-74 advantage in total offense and held Thaddeus Stevens to just 27 rushing yards and 47 passing yards. The Lions recorded 19 first downs compared with seven for Thaddeus Stevens and averaged 6.6 yards per offensive play. Nassau's defense recorded five sacks for 43 yards in losses and 11 tackles for loss totaling 59 yards.

Outlaw led the offense, completing 12 of 21 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Henderson paced the rushing attack with 70 yards on 13 carries, including a 25-yard run. Ruiz caught two passes for 66 yards, with both receptions going for touchdowns, while Decoteau finished with two catches for 68 yards and a score. Blackman added 45 receiving yards on two catches.

Perez Herrera was perfect in the kicking game, converting a 22-yard field goal and all six of his extra-point attempts for nine points. Defensively, Pierre finished with 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and the fumble recovery he returned for the game's opening touchdown. Camille added 1.5 sacks and blocked the third-quarter field goal that Jourdain returned 80 yards for a score. Barrett added a 34-yard interception return as Nassau forced two turnovers.

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