HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College football team took the loss on Saturday to the Engineers of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in their second straight home game to open the 2025 season.  

The Pilgrims received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt on their first possession. The NEC defense was able to return the favor on MIT's first drive as a third down sack by sophomore Erik Menger (Stratham, N.H.) forced the Engineers' punter onto the field. 

The visitors would later score the game's first touchdown with a passing score with around six minutes remaining in the first quarter. After three consecutive punts, MIT would again score a touchdown through the air to go up 14-0. A blocked punt on the next Pilgrims' drive would eventually lead to a 21-0 MIT lead. 

Just under the seven-minute mark in the second quarter, MIT's Chase Harmon was looking down the middle of the field and released a pass that was anticipated and intercepted by sophomore Ethan Cenesca (Manchester, N.H.) for the 'Grims defense' first turnover of the season. 

MIT would take a 28-0 advantage into the halftime break and expand on that lead in the second half, ultimately winning by a final score of 55-0. They would total 306 yards on the ground in the win. NEC would accumulate 85 rushing yards on a day where the offense struggled to get going. Sophomore Jack Lombardo (Medford, Mass.) had a 24-yard scramble in the fourth quarter and a 27-yard dump-off to sophomore Jackson Borkush (Concord, N.H.) for the team's longest play from scrimmage. 

Up next for the Pilgrims, the team travels to Fitchburg State for their first road game of the season next Saturday at 12:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.