By Thomas Scavetta
Assistant Sports Editor
For the first time since 2002, the Pioneers (3-0) won the first three games of the season with a 24-21 triumph over Saint Anselm College (1-2) on Saturday, Sept. 19, in a Northeast-10 conference showdown at Grappone Stadium in Manchester, N.H.
Junior quarterback Jeff Kidd had another solid outing in his third start for the Green and Gold. Down 7-3 in the third quarter, the Pioneers used their ground game nicely as they marched down into the red-zone. Kidd then dropped back and fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to red-shirt junior wide receiver Shane Hubbard, which put the visitors ahead 10-7 midway through the third period.
After red-shirt junior defensive back Kareem Folkes picked off Saint Anselm, the Pioneers went on to score again as Kidd staged an impressive 14- play, 76-yard drive to gain a 17-7 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Red-shirt freshman Malik Pierre crossed the plane for the one-yard score.
As the fourth quarter began, Saint Anselm responded with two touchdowns to regain the lead, 21-17 with under 10 minutes remaining. However, Kidd and the Pioneers offense picked apart the Hawks defense once again. Kidd quickly found Hubbard for a 23-yard score, putting LIU ahead for good.
The Pioneers defense put it in the books as red-shirt senior linebacker Brandon Cheney stripped Saint Anselm’s senior running back Elad Covaliu off the football in the final moments of the contest. Covaliu had a monster day though, rushing for 259 yards and two touchdowns on just 20 carries.
Kidd had another nice showing, finishing 26-45 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Hubbard had six receptions for 73 yards and caught both of Kidd’s touchdowns. Pierre led the rushing attack with 52 yards and a touchdown.
Red-shirt sophomore defensive back Freddrick McMillan stepped up nicely and led the squad with 13 tackles while Cheney stood out with 10 tackles and two forced fumbles. The Pioneers defense once again stood their ground and forced a late- game turnover to wrap up the victory.
Head Coach Bryan Collins and his LIU Post squad will return home to clash with Stonehill College in a Northeast-10 battle on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium in Brookville, N.Y. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
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