WEST CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University sprint football team erased a 13-point fourth quarter deficit as sophomore Armani Bermudez (Newark, N.J.) powered into the end zone with 2:25 left in the game to cap the comeback to lift the Cougars to a 21-20 season opening victory over Mansfield University.
 
The Cougars open the season at 1-0, while the Mounties fall to 0-1.
 
Mansfield controlled the action throughout the first half as they scored a pair of touchdowns over the first two quarters. Both extra points failed as freshman Ernesto Hernandez (Union, N.J.) blocked one of the point after attempts to hold the Mounties to a 12-0 halftime lead.
 
Caldwell got on the board on their first offensive possession of the second half. Sophomore Tajae' Irby (South Plainfield, N.J.) connected with junior Jared Dockett (Bloomfield, N.J.) on a 63-yard scoring connection to cut the score to 12-7.
 
Mansfield added a defensive safety and a touchdown pass late in the third quarter to pull ahead 20-7 heading to the final quarter.
 
Caldwell mounted a late third quarter drive that was capped in the fourth with a touchdown. Irby connected with freshman Jeremy Colon (Union City, N.J.) early in the drive for a key 13-yard pass play on a third-and-10 situation. Irby and Colon again paired up for a 15-yard pass play to pull the Cougar offense inside the Mansfield 10-yard-line. Irby found sophomore Vincenzo Brigati (Woodland Park, N.J.) for an eight-yard touchdown connection to cut the score to 20-14.
 
The Cougar defense held tough as they forced a turnover in the final three minutes to set up the go-ahead score. Freshman Ray Chico (Harrison, N.J.) intercepted a Mansfield pass at the Mounties 23-yard-line with 2:36 remaining in the game. Bermudez took the hand off and powered his way to the end zone for the winning touchdown.
 
Mansfield got one final possession but junior Nathan Dikwa-Nkrumah (Logan, Utah) sealed the game with an interception with 1:19 left to play. Caldwell's offense was pushed back to a 3rd-and-17 on their final possession but Bermudez rushed for 16 yards on third down and six yards on fourth-and-one to end the game.
 
Bermudez shined on the day with 70 rushing yards and one touchdown. Irby completed 11-of-25 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Dockett led the receivers with two receptions for 61 yards and a score.
 
On defense, junior Jerrick Anthony (Bayonne, N.J.) led the way with seven tackles. Junior Randy Antenor (Jersey City, N.J.) registered six tackles and four sacks Junior Royce Francisco (Passaic, N.J.) and junior Diego Hernandez (Union, N.J.) each finished with five tackles.
 
The Cougars return to action next Saturday, September 21 as they travel to Saint Thomas Aquinas College for a 6 pm kick-off.