CASTINE, Maine — The Maine Maritime Academy football team rushed for a season-high 287 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-20 homecoming loss to Nichols College on Saturday in Conference of New England action.

Nichols (2-3, 2-0 CNE) led 7-0 after the opening quarter before adding 14 points in the second for a 21-0 halftime advantage and 14 more in the third to open up a 35-0 lead over Maine Maritime (0-4, 0-1 CNE).

The Mariners didn't go down without a fight, outscoring the Bison 20-14 in the final quarter to cut the deficit to 49-20.

Sophomore Will Keach started the Mariners' scoring with a 2-yard touchdown reception from freshman Nyrel Norris, and sophomore Auston Harris followed with an impressive 50-yard touchdown run. Norris capped the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown scramble in the final minutes, marking one of Maine Maritime's best offensive outings of the season.

Harris led all rushers with a career-high 149 yards on the ground and added two receptions for 17 yards. Norris nearly eclipsed the 100-yard mark with 92 rushing yards, while Keach contributed 46 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, sophomore Lucas Houghton recorded a game-high 14 tackles, freshman Connor Cuba added nine stops, and fellow freshman Theo Blanke finished with six tackles and a sack.

The Mariners will travel to face Curry College on Saturday with kickoff set for 11 a.m.