WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hilbert football lost 34-20 to Gallaudet University this afternoon. The Hawks came up short in what was their most complete effort of the season. However, football was not the main story today, as the hosting Bison took a huge step in making football more inclusive with the help of AT&T.

The game saw the debut of the NCAA's first ever 5G-Connected Helmet. The helmets are used to enhance the on-field communication for Gallaudet's student-athletes that use American Sign Language. This was yet another barrier broken down by the school that invented the use of a huddle back in 1984.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawk's offense got off to a hot start thanks to their success on the ground. It took just 2:11, and four plays for Hilbert to get on the board in this one. Darion Reed and Ramone Gillie took turns gashing the Bison defense thanks to quality blocking from the offensive line. Gillie capped off the opening drive with a 54-yard score down the sideline for the Hawks. Lincoln Eagan tacked on the extra point to make it a 7-0 Hilbert lead.

However, Gallaudet used a long run of their own (63 yards) to match the Hawks on the scoreboard on their opening drive of the game. After a timely third down stop on the ensuing Hilbert drive, the Bison forced an Eagan punt to send their offense back out.

They took advantage with a methodical, twelve play, 75-yard touchdown drive lasting more than seven minutes to take the lead. Dre'Vaughn Mackall's 55 yards on the ground marched his team down the field, where he would finish off the drive with a three-yard score.

The scoring continued, as Eagan converted on a 34-yard field goal to cut the Gallaudet lead to four, making it a 14-10 game.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, the touchdown drives for the hosts were not done yet, as they found the end zone for the third time of the half when quarterback Brandon Washington ran the ball in from 18 yards out. Keeping the ball on the ground was a familiar theme for the Bison, as they attempted just one pass all day.

The Hilbert offense got to work with a little over eight minutes on the clock and an eleven-point deficit. A 17-play drive, highlighted by Brody Hopkins completions to Quantrail Moss, Bryce Robinson, and Emarion Mcmiller brought the Hawks to the Bison one yard line. However, with the clock working against them, Hilbert was held to a field goal, cutting the lead to 21-13 heading into the half.

The defenses were big in the second half, as a scoreless third quarter saw many key third down stops and a trio of punts.

After a 16-play drive that brought the ball down to the Bison four-yard line, the special teams unit of Gallaudet put their mark on this one. An Eagan 21-yard field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by Gallaudet, leaving Hilbert with nothing to show for their 81-yard march down the field.

Another touchdown drive, led by the rushing attack of Gallaudet, all but put the game away, as Washington's second score of the game made it a 28-13 lead late in the fourth.

With a multiple score deficit, and time working against them, Hilbert turned to the passing game, where the Bison were ready, forcing two interceptions. The first of which was returned for a touchdown extending the lead to 34-13.

Hopkins put the interceptions behind him and used two big completions to Moss to catalyst one final scoring drive for the Hawks. On his 44^th attempt of the afternoon, Hopkins found Charles Young in the end zone for a two-yard score. This would be the last time Hilbert saw the ball, as the Bison kneeled out the game for the victory in the inaugural game in the AT&T helmets.
 
GAME NOTES

• Hopkins completed 25 of 44 passes for 228 yards and a score.
• Gillie ran for 78 yards on twelve attempts.
• Moss led the game in receiving, with eight grabs totaling 92 yards.
• Taivaughn Roach added twelve more tackles to continue his huge season.
• Eagan accounted for eight points.

UP NEXT

Hilbert heads to Geneva next week as they take on Hobart College at Boswell field. The Statesmen come into the contest at 4-1 after a victory over Buffalo State today. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM.