Mariners Reclaim Secretaries’ Cup With Nail-Biting 39-38 Victory Over Coast Guard At Fenway Park
FROM USMMA ATHLETICS
BOSTON (Nov. 15, 2025) – In one of the most dramatic games in Academy history at one of the most historic, iconic venues in the country, the United States Merchant Marine Academy football team defeated arch-rival Coast Guard by the slimmest of margins, 39-38, on Saturday in front of over 10,200 fans at Fenway Park. The victory improved the Mariners' record to 7-2 (5-2 NEWMAC), while the Bears end the season 7-3 (6-2 NEWMAC).
This was the first game in the historic rivalry that was decided by just one point, with the next closest being a number of two-point games, the last being in 2010. And with the win, USMMA has guaranteed that their season will continue, as they will qualify to represent the NEWMAC in the Fusion Bowl next weekend as the second-place team in the conference.
Sophomore Bubba Mustain (Oro Valley, Ariz.) powered the USMMA offense with one of the most productive games in program history, rushing 46 times for 274 yards and three touchdowns while also completing 6-of-8 passes for 150 yards and two more scores. In the passing game, Mustain connected with classmate Angelo Cimino (Sewell, N.J.) for 69 yards and a touchdown (including a 58-yard strike), and found senior Ben Rini (Vermilion, Ohio) for a 44-yard score. Sophomore Sonny Endicott (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added two receptions for 27 yards to round out the aerial effort.
Defensively, junior Zatyk Holub (Mount Vernon, Iowa) led the unit with 11 tackles, while sophomore Trent Sterner (North Kingstown, R.I.) and junior Aidan Graham (Allen, Texas) each posted eight stops. Sterner added a pass breakup, and senior Caleb Green (Flower Mound, Texas) also recorded two breakups in the secondary. Contributing multiple tackle efforts were junior Blayne Shiraki (Honolulu, Hawaii) and senior James Gleeson (Savannah, Ga.), and junior Armondo Orcesi (Newcastle, Calif.) chalked up four tackles. Senior Deryk Leverage (Eagle River, Alaska) also chipped in four tackles, helping the Mariners close out the game.
USMMA finished with a 480–350 advantage in total offense, highlighted by 330 rushing yards on 60 attempts and 21 rushing first downs. The Mariners also controlled the clock with 36:02 of possession, including more than 10 minutes in both the second and fourth quarters. Kings Point was efficient in key situations, converting 6-of-12 on third down and a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth down while scoring touchdowns on all four red-zone opportunities. Defensively, USMMA recorded two sacks and held Coast Guard without a fourth-down attempt, and although each team had one turnover, the Bears produced the only points off a takeaway
USMMA struck first on its opening drive, marching 83 yards on 14 plays over 7:20 to take an early 7-0 lead. Mustain guided the Mariners downfield with several keepers, including gains of 15, 10, and 6 yards, before junior Will Surdez (Colts Neck, N.J.) punched in a five-yard touchdown run.
Coast Guard responded with a 62-yard drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sean Burns to Broock Desta to even the score at 7-7 with just under five minutes left in the quarter.
The Mariners answered quickly, covering 75 yards in four plays to regain the lead. Mustain connected with Rini for a 44-yard touchdown pass, making it 14-7. The Bears threatened again late in the period, advancing to the Kings Point 1-yard line as the quarter ended with USMMA leading 14-7.
Coast Guard opened the second quarter by punching in a one-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14–14. The next two series of the quarter — one for each team — ended in punts, marking the first drives of the game that did not produce points as both defenses settled in briefly.
USMMA responded with an 11-play, 68-yard scoring drive, powered largely by Mustain's runs on multiple short-yardage conversions. Mustain finished the march himself with a five-yard touchdown run, though the extra point was missed, giving the Mariners a 20–14 lead. Coast Guard answered quickly, moving 51 yards before Burns scored on a 24-yard keeper, and the PAT put the Bears ahead 21–20 with 1:45 left.
The Mariners regained control before halftime with a five-play, 65-yard possession keyed by two completions from Mustain to Cimino. The drive ended when Cimino hauled in a 58-yard touchdown on fourth-and-three, pushing USMMA back in front 26–21 after another missed PAT. Coast Guard's final chance of the half went nowhere, as the Mariners closed the quarter with a sack and a defensive stop to take a five-point lead into halftime
Coast Guard opened the second half with excellent field position after a long kickoff return, then moved 51 yards on a balanced drive. Hensley finished the series with a four-yard touchdown run, and after the PAT and penalty administration, the Bears led 29–26. USMMA's next possession reached near midfield, but a third-down run resulted in a fumble that Coast Guard recovered at the Mariner 47.
The Bears turned that takeaway into a long, clock-draining possession, advancing inside the USMMA red zone before the Mariners produced a pair of key tackles for loss. Coast Guard settled for a 28-yard field goal to extend its lead to 32–26 with 3:50 left in the quarter. After the ensuing kickoff, the Mariners' offense answered by leaning on Mustain's legs, as he converted multiple first downs on a methodical drive into Coast Guard territory.
USMMA continued to move the ball on the ground as the quarter wound down, with Mustain and Bonte pushing the ball across midfield before the Mariners reached the Coast Guard 36. The clock expired on that play, sending the game to the fourth quarter with USMMA driving and trailing by six.
The Mariners opened the fourth quarter already inside Coast Guard territory and continued to move the ball behind Mustain and Bonte, converting a fourth-and-three to keep the drive alive. A few plays later, Mustain broke free on a 12-yard run into the end zone, and freshman Karson Bye's (Liberty Hill, Texas) PAT put the Mariners ahead 33–32 with 11:31 left. After the kickoff, Coast Guard answered with a long, methodical drive that covered 75 yards, capped by a 10-yard touchdown run from Hensley to regain a 38–33 lead with 6:52 to play.
Senior Chase Shavey's (Mercer Island, Wash.) return set USMMA up at the 30 for the ensuing possession, and the Mariners pieced together one of their longest drives of the day. Mustain carried repeatedly, including an 18-yard gain that was fumbled and recovered by Rini to maintain possession. Ferris added a key first-down run, and Mustain later converted a fourth-and-one to keep the march going. With under a minute remaining, Mustain powered in from seven yards out for the go-ahead score, giving USMMA a 39–38 lead. A two-point rushing attempt failed.
Coast Guard took over at its own 30 with twenty seconds left and moved the ball to the USMMA 45 after a completion and a defensive penalty. The Bears attempted two shots toward the sideline for Desta, both falling incomplete. On the final play of the game, Burns launched a deep pass toward the end zone, but the ball was batted down by the Mariner defense as time expired, sealing a dramatic USMMA victory.
Coast Guard was led offensively by Harrison Hensley, who carried 25 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns, including a long run of 43 yards. Quarterback Sean Burns added 50 rushing yards and two scores on 14 attempts while completing 10 of 21 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown through the air. Broock Desta led the Bears' receiving corps with three catches for 43 yards and a 28-yard touchdown, while Matt LaBouliere also caught three passes for 38 yards. Hensley contributed two receptions for 21 yards, and Amr Baadani added two catches for 17 yards
The Bears' defense was paced by Ethan Cumming, who finished with a game-high 18 total tackles, including nine solo stops, and forced one of the Mariners' two fumbles. Lucas White added 13 tackles with 11 assists and recorded one quarterback hurry, while Noah Rohrer contributed 11 total tackles, splitting his production between five solos and six assists to anchor the Bears' front.
More information on the upcoming Fusion Bowl Game will be announced early next week.
Last updated: Sunday, November 16, 2025