While the defense didn’t quite shut down the visitors from Bentley University on Saturday, the damage was limited. AIC intercepted Bentley quarterback Bryant Johnson five times - three in the fourth quarter - and gave the offense one last chance.
Senior quarterback Rob Parent found tight end Trevor Perryman over the middle for a 17-yard touchdown pass with 3:48 remaining, as the Yellow Jackets downed the Falcons 17-14 at Robert J. Abdow Field.
AIC finally exhaled when Paul Branco missed a potential game-tying 42-yard field goal with a minute remaining.
“All camp, it’s been on our shoulders,” AIC senior linebacker Terrence Holley said of the defense’s role on a team with a young offense. “We finally came together today and played 60 minutes of complete football.”