New York Defense Turns Ben Dat Interceptions Into Win Over Nashville
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Brady Shearfield's fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown broke the game open, and New York beat Nashville 24-16. Ben Dat threw three interceptions, and the New York defense turned two of them into touchdowns, moving the Legion to 6-2 while the Hounds fell to 2-6.
New York took the lead for good at 6:11 of the first quarter, when Ford Hend ran two yards for a touchdown, and the Legion never trailed. Nashville stayed within reach on three field goals by Zach Leatrick, but the Hounds could not get past the Legion's defense in the turnover-heavy second half.
Nashville's first points came on a 54-yard Leatrick field goal at 12:18 of the second quarter, cutting New York's lead to 7-3. At 5:49, Dawson Shorkham intercepted a Dat pass and returned it for a touchdown, making it 14-3. Leatrick added a 53-yard field goal at 2:52 to make it 14-6, and a 23-yard field goal at 3:50 of the third quarter made it 14-9.
The Legion pulled away in the fourth quarter. Shearfield intercepted Dat at 12:20 and returned it for a touchdown, and New York led 21-9. Travis Wearson's four-yard touchdown run at 6:04 cut the margin to 21-16. Luke Shinnworth's 27-yard field goal at 0:48 made it 24-16, and Lane Jardman's interception of Dat at 1:16 sealed the result.
Dat completed 26 of 35 passes for 219 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Dusuez went 16 of 27 for 133 yards and two interceptions for New York. Wearson carried 22 times for 135 yards and a touchdown for Nashville and caught three passes for 32 more, while Joel Gos caught 11 passes for 82 yards. Hend ran 12 times for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Legion. Shearfield had nine tackles and an interception, and Matt Hund recorded three sacks. Nashville finished with 333 total yards to New York's 248.
Nolan Blamson, Nashville's left end, suffered a high ankle sprain and is out for the game, expected to miss two weeks. Connor Suson, Nashville cornerback, was also ruled out with an MCL sprain. For New York, Nick Chamwood, the free safety, was ruled out with an ankle sprain, and Ji-ho Jeng was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury.
The win moves New York to 6-2, while Nashville drops to 2-6.
