Castleton was able to overcome a 20-7 deficit to score 21 unanswered points to defeat Gallaudet University 28-20 in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) play Saturday in Washington DC.

With the win, Castleton earned an opportunity to play for the ECFC title where they would play Mount Ida who is also 5-0 in conference play.

The Spartans offense was led by Shane Brozowski who completed 28 of his 49 pass opportunities for 338 yards and three touchdowns.

Kevin Alberque caught eight passes for 110 yards and Brandon Boyle added six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Carpenter rushed for 83 yards and one score and had 80 yards receiving with a touchdown.

Castleton started off the scoring with an 11-play 84-yard drive that ended with Carpenter punching it in from four yards out. Gallaudet responded quickly with an eight-play 60 yard drive with Ryan Bonheyo rushing it in from five out to tie the game at seven.

Bonheyo would have himself a day as the next two scoring drives for the Bison’s he was able to score. He rushed for an 83-yard touchdown with 2:27 left in the first quarter and a five-yard run for a score with 1:23 left in the second quarter. Mick Wong blocked the extra point on the second touchdown though to keep the score at 20-7.

Wong’s block seemed to fuel the Spartans fire as the bison’s were not able to put together another scoring drive the rest of the game.

The Spartans, with the momentum in their favor, put together a seven play 47-yard scoring drive right before the half with Carpenter rushing in from 15 out to bring the score to 20-14 going into the half.

Castleton was able to put together another scoring drive on their second possession of the third quarter. After a fumble that the Spartans recovered on their own 18-yard line, it only took five plays for them to punch it in on a three yard pass from Brozowski to Boyle to take the lead 21-20.

Gallaudet had an opportunity to score with a minute left in the third quarter but Wong stepped up again for a big field goal block.

The Spartans were able to get some insurance with two minutes left in the fourth quarter as an 18-yard pass from Brozowski to Boyle capped a seven-play 30-yard drive to round out the scoring at 28-20.

“Every win is important,” Senior Quarterback Greg Vreeland said. “With every win it keeps us in line for the conference championship.”

Brandon Bergeron led the defense for the Spartans with ten tackles. Cody Tancreti played well garnering four tackles with an interception. Todd Carr also chipped in with six tackles and a forced fumble.

Castleton improves to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play. With the loss Gallaudet falls to 5-3 overall, 3-2 in conference. Castleton will travel to play at Husson on Nov. 3.