DUDLEY, Mass. (11/9/2024) – Despite 29 second half points, the Nichols College football team were unable to complete the comeback and lost 47-41 at the hands of Curry College on Saturday afternoon from Vendetti Field in Conference of New England (CNE) play.

The offense was powered by graduate student Joshua Vitti who broke another program record, thanks to his 17 catches. Vitti surpassed former teammate Hunter Ferreira who recorded 172 catches in his career. Vitti passed Ferreira with his eighth catch in the first half now sits at 182 receptions. Vitti's 17 catches also ties the single game Program record, set by Tony Martignoli in 2016 against Curry College.

Vitti finished the afternoon with 17 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Jack Morvan recorded eight catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Will Migliaccio went 34-53 for 438 yards and five touchdowns in just his second collegiate start.

On the defensive side, senior Gael Alvarez-Rojas recorded a team high four solo tackles, as well as two pass breakups. Graduate student Dante Barboza recorded eight total tackles to lead the team and also forced a fumble.

The Colonels marched down the field on the opening drive to grab a 7-0 lead. Nichols answered with Migliaccio and Vitti connecting on a 20-yard pass, the extra point was missed, and Nichols trailed 7-6. The Colonels scored on their next three drives and took a 28-6 lead halfway through the second quarter.

Migliaccio found Morvan on a 43-yard touchdown to make it 28-12, with the two-point conversion failing. Back-to-back Curry touchdowns gave them a 41-12 lead into the dressing room.

In the second half, Nichols scored on sophomore John Gianibas's seven-yard touchdown, cutting into the lead, 41-18. Curry once again pushed the lead to 47-18. From the momentum seemed to shift and Nichols began their comeback. Morvan caught his second touchdown of the afternoon, after flipping the underthrown ball over the defensive back, and catching it for a 46-yard touchdown. Nichols then pulled out the trick plays and caught the Colonels by surprise with a squib kick that was recovered by the Bison.

Migliaccio connected with junior Nathan Campos 16 seconds into the fourth quarter, after the short field thanks to the squib kick. Nichols trailed 47-32. On the ensuing Curry drive, a botched snap on the punt, saw the ball roll out of the back of the endzone for a safety, Nichols then trailed 47-34.

Two minutes later, Migliaccio threw his fifth touchdown, when he hit Vitti for the second time on a 1-yard touchdown. Nichols trailed 47-41 with 8:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. After a forced fumble,

Nichols was poised with field position and looking for the win. Curry's defense held strong and forced a fourth down turnover and the Colonels escaped with a 47-41 win.

Nichols will wrap up their 2024 season as they honor their seniors on Senior Day and face off against Western New England. Kick-off is set for 12:00 p.m. from Vendetti Field.