2024

Corsair Football hosts Friday night Gold Rush

Free Gold Rush shirts for the first 500 UMassD students that attend

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Athletic Department is set to host the Gold Rush game as the Corsairs football team welcomes Framingham State on Friday at 7 p.m. on Cressy Field. In addition to celebrating the Gold Rush – in which all fans are encouraged to wear gold – the Corsairs will also be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 football team.

The Corsairs are encouraging all fans to wear gold tee-shirts to support the Game of the Week. Domino's purchased 500 co-branded Gold Rush tee-shirts for UMass Dartmouth students, while Athletics will distribute 600 gold shakers to UMass Dartmouth fans. The Campus Store will sell a commemorative Gold Rush tee-shirt and sweatshirts for fans to be able to purchase at the Campus Store tent by the home bleachers.

The SAIL Office is organizing a student tailgate in the Tripp Athletic Center Celebration Green, beginning at 5pm. Students will be able to pose for pictures in the photobooth, relax with lawn games, and enjoy delicious Domino's.

Members of the 1994 football team will be in attendance on Friday evening and celebrated at halftime for the team's first NEFC league championship title and the first appearance by a UMassD football team in a post-season game.

The 1994 squad claimed the NEFC title with four straight wins to end the regular season, culminating in a 14-12 win over Bridgewater State. The team, which also posted wins over Worcester State, Mass. Maritime, Western Connecticut, UMass Boston, Fitchburg State, Framingham State and Westfield State, went on to compete in the ECAC Northwest Bowl.

In that contest, the Corsairs shouldered a tough loss to Union College, concluding their outstanding season at 8-3, including a 4-2 mark at home. Led by head coach William Kavanaugh – who guided the Corsairs for 17 total seasons, UMass Dartmouth saw a number of outstanding efforts during the 1994 season.

Bill Casey was the squad's leading rusher, posting 1,032 yards on 173 carries over 10 games. He had nine touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry and 103.2 yards per game. Casey also threw for 611 yards and seven touchdowns as the team's quarterback that season. James Chase was also a top rusher for the Corsairs with 582 yards on 121 carries with a team-high 11 touchdowns.

The receiving core was paced by John Barbarossa, who hauled in 11 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 21.9 yards per catch and 24.1 receiving yards per game. Additionally, Barbarossa served as a kicker, going 2-for-3 in field goals and 17-of-22 in PAT's.

Defensively, Matt DeGrandpre recorded 73 total tackles on the season, including 24 solo. He also posted seven tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and three pass breakups. Paul Barnett was close behind with 71 total tackles, including a team-best 35 solo. He had two tackles for loss, four interceptions and five pass breakups on the season.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for Friday's game. The Athletics Department has partnered with HomeTown Ticketing, to go completely digital for all Corsairs football and basketball games.