 |
| Wright (Temple athletics) |
The Brass City has to be awfully proud of the efforts displayed by two former Waterbury athletes over the past week.
It took Temple time to get on the scoreboard against FIU on Dec. 21 in the Gasparilla Bowl in St. Petersburg, but once it did, Isaiah Wright found the end zone. The Owls led 14-3 midway through the fourth quarter when Wright hauled in a pass over the middle from Frank Nutile and blew past all comers for a 45-yard touchdown to open the game up.
Wright finished the game with five catches for 73 yards and the touchdown. His receptions and yards in the game were second only to Keith Kirkwood.
For the season, Wright accounted for 872 yards of offense and five touchdowns. Oh yeah, and he ran a kick back for a touchdown against Cincinnati.
Here’s a scary thought for opposing defenses and special teams units…Wright will be a junior next year. He still has two years left to terrorize opponents.
 |
| Heron (Auburn athletics) |
Two days later, former city star Mustapha Heron tied for the Auburn lead in points with 13 as the Tigers smoked UConn by a score of 89-64. The teams were tied at 7 early, but a 16-0 Auburn run turned the game into a rout. Heron also had seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
Teammate Horace Spencer was asked how Heron must have felt after the game and had this to say:
“You know Mustapha is from Connecticut. For us to beat UConn twice in back-to-back years probably resonates with him. He can hold his head up high in his city. He can go home and feel good about himself.”
Heron, always looking to improve, would have liked to have shot better against UConn (5-for-15 overall), but Auburn came out with the win and got to 11-1 for the first time since 1999-2000. Heron has played in 11 of the team’s 12 games, starting all 11. He leads the Tigers in points per game at 15.6.
Logan Marchi transferring from Temple
 |
| Marchi (Temple athletics) |
It was a big news day for the signal caller on Wednesday. Marchi announced on Twitter that he is transferring out of Temple.
Here’s the full statement from Marchi, posted on his Twitter account:
“I want to thank my family first and foremost for the love and support they have always shown. I would like to thank Temple University for everything they have done for me during my time at this wonderful institution. I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, and all staff affiliated with Temple Football for all they have done. I have decided I will be transferring from Temple University, I will be looking for a new home for the next two seasons and looking to enroll this spring. I wish nothing but the best for the future of my teammates, coaches, and the Temple Football program. Go Owls!”
Marchi started the first seven games for Temple in 2017 and completed 136 of 245 attempts for 1,658 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. He hurt his foot, then watched junior Frank Nutile start the last six games and do well. Marchi told Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer that playing time was a factor in his decision to transfer. Marchi also told Narducci that he would like to play in the Football Championship Subdivision, which would allow him to play two more seasons instead of sitting one out at the same level. Here’s the full story from Narducci.
Marchi was a standout quarterback at St. Paul, and he got off to a good start at Temple in his redshirt sophomore season. It just wasn’t meant to be, and hopefully Marchi lands on his feet at a new destination soon.
 |
| Bendsten (Princeton athletics) |
Chris Bendsten and Mike Bozzuto, Wolcott
Two former Eagle standouts are back home coaching this winter.
Bendsten and Bozzuto are volunteer coaches at Wolcott High School. Bendsten will do so in both indoor and outdoor track and field. Bozzuto is a volunteer coach in boys basketball.
 |
| Bozzuto (SCSU athletics) |
Bendsten studied at Princeton University and competed in cross country and track and field. He was an individual Ivy League champion in cross country and in the 5,000 meters in outdoor. Bendsten made First Team All-Ivy twice in cross country and was a Second Team All-America in outdoor. Bendsten was a tremendous runner for Wolcott.
Bozzuto was All-State and All-NVL at Wolcott, and he helped the Eagles win the Brass Division in his senior year. He was an Honor Roll student while attending Southern Connecticut State University. In his senior season with the Owls, Bozzuto was a spot starter for three games when injuries took their toll on his team. In a game against LeMoyne, Bozzuto made all of his shots, from the field or at the foul line, and scored 10 points. Bozzuto started his career as a walk-on.
Statistics and information compiled from the team website of each athlete.
