MANSFIELD, Pa.- Caldwell University sprint football sophomore Carl Watson (Newark, N.J.) totaled over 200 all-purpose yards as the Cougars came up short 34-26 to Mansfield University in Collegiate Sprint Football League South Division play.
 
The Cougars fall to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in the CSFL South Division, while the Mountaineers improve to 3-3 and 1-3 in division play.
 
Caldwell jumped out to an early lead as the defense forced a turnover on Mansfield's first offensive play of the game to set up the Cougar offense in Mountaineer territory. Freshman quarterback Tajae' Irby (South Plainfield, N.J.) connected on a 26-yard pass play with freshman Dajuan Carr (Newark, N.J.) to put the Cougars at the one-yard line. Irby scampered into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
 
The Cougars added a touchdown on their second offensive series as Watson turned in rushes of 24 and 15 yards. Irby hit sophomore Jared Dockett (Bloomfield, N.J.) for a 10-yard pass play to push the offense down to the two-yard line. Freshman Vincenzo Brigati (Woodland Park, N.J.) capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run for a 13-0 lead.
 
Mansfield took the lead with a late first quarter touchdown, while the Mountaineers added a defensive touchdown to take a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter. Caldwell took advantage of a short punt midway through the second quarter as the offense started their drive inside the red zone. Watson took the handoff on the first play and found to end zone to put Caldwell back in front 20-14.
 
The Mountaineers scored a touchdown late in the second quarter as they held a 21-20 lead at halftime.
 
Caldwell re-took the lead to start the second half as they found the end zone on their opening possession. Watson touched the ball on nine of the 13 plays on the drive as he scored on a nine yard run to give the Cougars a 26-21 lead.
 
Mansfield answered late in the third quarter as Adam Hutchison tossed a touchdown pass to Imir Pope. Hutchison and Pope connected again midway through the fourth quarter to push ahead 34-26.
 
Watson shined on the day as he rushed 30 times for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He added six receptions for 82 yards. Irby completed 10-of-20 passes for 140 yards, while Dockett posted three catches for 55 yards. Carr finished with three catches for 48 yards.
 
Sophomore Colin Williams (East Orange, N.J.) led the Cougar defense with nine tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss. Freshman Haleem Woods (Plainfield, N.J.) totaled eight tackles and blocked an extra point. Sophomore Royce Francisco (Passaic, N.J.) and freshman Kevon Bryant (Jersey City, N.J.) each recorded seven tackles.
 
The Cougars close out the 2018 season as they host Chestnut Hill College on Saturday, November 3 at James Caldwell High School at 1 pm.