PAXTON, Mass. – The Maine Maritime football team used a potent rushing attack to defeat Anna Maria College, 47-0, during the AMCATS' home opener at AMCAT field on a warm Saturday afternoon.  The Mariners, last year's number one rushing team in the nation, amassed 472 yards on the ground to improve to 1-0 on the year, while Anna Maria fell to 0-2 overall.
 
Matt Rende (Augusta, Maine) led the way for MMA with 137 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and one passing touchdown, while Todd Murphy (Middlesex, Vt.) compiled 93 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on just four carries. Nick Bourassa (Jay, Maine) also starred for the visitor, chipping in with 88 rushing yards, a touchdown reception and a punt return touchdown, while Casey Goguen (Ashburnham, Mass.) (eight tackles, one for a loss), and Christopher Lizotte (Charlton, Mass.) (six tackles, one forced fumble) gave their best effort to minimize the potent rushing attack from the visitors.
 
Things started off well for the AMCATS who induced a turnover on Maine Maritime's opening drive as Chris Lizotte caused and recovered a fumble on AMC's own 30 yard line. Anna Maria quarterback Santino Simone (Worcester, Mass.) moved the AMCATS in the red zone after an 11-yard scramble on fourth-down, however, Josh Elwell (Owls Head, Maine) intercepted Simone at the Maritime five yard line to end the AMCATS' closest scoring opportunity of the evening. 
 
Following the interception, the visitors used a nine-play, 91-yard drive, to score the first points of the contest.  Jim Bower (South Paris, Maine) scored the touchdown on a seven-yard plunge, while Nic Bourassa and Matt Rende added 37 and 41 rushing yards on the drive, respectively. 
 
The visitors scored on their next three possessions after forcing Anna Maria to punt each time. Todd Murphy added touchdown runs of seven yards and 45 yards, while Matt Rende had a 14-yard pass to Nic Bourassa to give Maine Maritime a 26-0 edge at halftime. 
 
Forcing the AMCATS to punt on their first possession of the second half, Nic Bourassa returned the kick 65 yards to pay dirt, pushing the lead to 33-0. 
 
Quarterback Matthew Rende then added his first rushing touchdown of the game on a 75-yard QB-option run with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. 
 
Tom Marcisso (Scarborough, Maine) completed the scoring with 38 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, on a five-yard plunge.
 
The heavy run attack of the Mariners proved to be too much for the AMCATS to handle, as they gained 472 yards on the ground, while the AMCATS' managed to mustered only 92.
 
Maine Maritime returns to action Saturday at home against UMass-Dartmouth at 1:00 PM while Anna Maria travels to Malone Saturday at 2:00 PM.