Corsairs will play Ithaca College in a November 19 first-round matchup

Dartmouth, MA – November 14, 2022 – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth football team are the 2022 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Champions for the first time in program history and have earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that begins on Saturday, November 19. The Corsairs will take on Ithaca College at 12 p.m. in their second-ever appearance in NCAA Tourney and first since 2002. The matchup's winner will move on to the second round to play the winner of Endicott and Springfield. 

This was the first conference championship since 2002, when the team was in the New England Football Conference (NEFC).

The Corsairs possess the 15th highest-powered offenses in the nation, averaging 42.1 points per game. Junior QB Dante Aviles-Santos is fifth in the country in passing yards (2,940), eighth in passing yards per game (294.0), eighth in total offense (312.4), and 16th in passing TDs (26). Sophomore WR Angel Sanchez leads the nation in receiving yards per game (138.0) and is ninth in receiving yards (1,104) despite only playing eight games. Senior RB Luis Gonzalez is 18th in the country with 14 rushing touchdowns.

UMass Dartmouth has the best defense in the MASCAC, allowing only 18.8 points per game, 246.7 yards per game, and 11 team interceptions. Senior Josh Lacerte and sophomore Sam Alicea lead the team with seven sacks each, while 5th-year senior Javien Delgado leads the way with 52 tackles on the year.

The Corsairs, who finished the regular season 9-1 and a perfect 8-0 in the MASCAC, defeated Plymouth State 46-21 on the road.