Norwich Cadets score a blowout victory during Homecoming weekend game

After a complete washout season in 2024 where the team went 0-10, the Norwich University Cadets celebrated their first win in nearly two years this past Saturday during the Homecoming Game against the Maine Maritime Academy

The offense on both teams struggled out of the gate, but the Cadets took possession on the Mariners 29-yard line and promptly broke the ice within two plays as Mike Cascarno (Lake Worth, Fla.) found the end-zone with a 19-yard run.

On the Mariners’ second drive they were forced to punt from the back of their endzone. Jack Daley (Weymouth, Mass.) broke through the line of scrimmage, blocking the punt, which Jack Bailey (Weymouth, Mass.) recovered in the end-zone for Norwich’s second score.

After regaining possession, Maine Maritime advanced to midfield before stalling and turning the ball over on downs. Norwich quickly capitalized, entering the red zone thanks to a 33-yard strike from Landon Beecher (Holliston, Mass.) to Declan Lay (Brunswick, Maine). Facing a fourth down, Beecher connected with Henri Bourque (Claremont, N.H.) for a touchdown, giving the Cadets a commanding three-score lead in the first quarter. It was the first of five total touchdowns on the day for Beecher.

Early in the second quarter, Beecher struck again, finding a wide-open Ben Weers (Hebron, Conn.) for a 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown, the longest play of the season for the Cadets. Norwich then turned to the ground game, with strong runs by Cascarano and Will Patenaude (Goffstown, N.H.) driving the offense deep into the red zone. Beecher capped the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown, his third score of the day.

Late in the half, the Cadet defense stood tall once again, forcing a second turnover on downs. Back on offense, two tough runs by Zay Smith (Stratford, Conn.) set up Beecher’s fourth passing touchdown—a strike to Fionn Parker-Cummings (Bangor, Maine). A first-half shutout was sealed when Madux McGrath (Amherst, N.H.) came away with an interception, sending Norwich into halftime with a dominant 42-0 lead

During halftime, the Norwich University Drill Team—led by Cadets Kilman and Alano—took the field and performed a silent exhibition drill ceremony, wowing alums and fans alike.

Beginning the second half, the Cadets came out fighting with Iva Haynes (Miami, Fla.) of the defense catching an interception setting up for Connor McFarland (Manchester, N.H.) to catch-run for a score. Finally closed with two rushing touchdowns by Zay Smith and Nafis Muhammed (Staten Island, N.Y.).

The Norwich offense delivered an explosive performance, amassing 479 total yards, including 289 on the ground, while converting five of seven red zone opportunities. Quarterback Landon Beecher was highly efficient, completing 80% of his passes for four touchdowns through the air and adding another score on the ground. Smith led the rushing attack with 87 yards.

On the other side of the ball, the Cadet defense was dominant, holding Maine Maritime to just 78 total yards of offense. Jalen Elibert-Fowlkes (Saint-Hubert, Que.) anchored the unit with five tackles, two pass breakups, and a tackle for loss, while Imari Milton (Miramar, Fla.) added pressure up front with two sacks. On the special teams, kicker Zack Zegarra (Ridgewood, NJ.) set a new program record, for the completion of 9 successful PATs throughout the game.

Next Saturday, the cadets remain at home and will be playing the Merchant Marine Academy.