Dean football ends the season with a 1-9 record. (Photo Courtesy: Deanbulldogs.com)
The Dean College 2022 football season has concluded, which saw the Bulldogs go 1-9 under first-year head coach Andrae Murphy. Dean’s lone win came on October 22nd at Alfred State College.
The Bulldogs had a couple of games that either came down to the wire or slipped away from them. Back in week one at Fitchburg State University, the score went back and forth but ended in Fitchburg State’s favor as Dean had a chance to go ahead with thirty seconds remaining in regulation, and tried a double-reverse at the two-yard line that was fumbled and recovered by Fitchburg State.
Dean also had a close one on Homecoming Weekend versus Gallaudet University that saw the Bulldogs leading 16-6 at the half and 23-6 early in the third quarter. Gallaudet outscored Dean 20-6 in the second half to secure a comeback win.
The Bulldogs had a tough Senior Day game versus Keystone College where the scoring went back and forth as Keystone hit a 22-yard field goal to tie the game as time expired. Keystone scored a touchdown on their first drive in overtime, but the Bulldogs also scored a touchdown. However, Dean went for the win by attempting a two-point conversion but was stopped short with an interception to end the game.
The Bulldogs defense on the season gave up 38.3 points per game compared to the offense scoring only 25.8 points per game.
The run defense struggled by giving up 238.3 rushing yards per game compared to the Bulldogs 84.1 rushing yards per game. This was mainly due to Dean not having a reliable starting running back The leading running back on the team was Holdan Wilson who had 37.2 rushing yards per game and three touchdowns on the season.
The passing game defense and offense were close to even as the offense produced 222.8 yards per game compared to the opponent's 218.4 yards per game.
The Bulldogs also were outscored on a three-to-one margin as opponents scored 38.3 points per game compared to Dean’s 25.8 points per game.
The Bulldogs were on a rollercoaster at the quarterback position this season that started with Nathan Cisco. Cisco played well as in three games, he had a QB rating of 179.17, going 43-66, which was good for a 65.15 completion percentage, 217.67 yards per game, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. Cisco was on his way to a good season, as he was named the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference Player of the Week early in the season. Unfortunately, he went down with injuries which passed the baton to backup Darren McDermott. However, McDermott left the team due to personal reasons after a couple of games which forced wide receiver Mozes Mooney to take over under center.
Mooney stood out at QB as he was 89-158, which was good for a 56.33 completion percentage, 116.8 yards per game, twelve touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also had a QB rating of 138.4.
Mooney also fared well at WR as he finished third on the team with twenty-three receptions which were good for 399 yards and five touchdowns. Mooney was named ECFC Player of the Week during the season as well as a winner of the prestigious New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award.
Quintus Reid led the Bulldogs receivers on the season with 882 yards and ten touchdowns. Jordan Mason was second on the team with forty-seven receptions, which were good for 619 yards and five touchdowns.
The Bulldogs will look to improve next season as Nathan Cisco will have time to fully recover from injury, and the defense will continue training.