SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Bentley football head coach CJ Scarpa '17 notched his first-career victory in dramatic fashion when the Falcons beat American International, 41-34, in overtime Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons (1-3, 1-1 NE10) carried a 34-20 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Yellow Jackets (0-4, 0-2 NE10) scored 14 unanswered points in the final 15 minutes of regulation to force overtime.

Bentley opened the extra period with possession. The drive began with consecutive rushing plays to Telly Edouard for a total of 23 yards, quickly bringing the Falcons down to the two-yard line. From there, quarterback Luke Warnock took consecutive tries at punching through the goal-line. Each of his driving attempts through the line went for one yard – the latter of which landed Bentley a crucial six points.

Ben Mitchell tacked on the extra point.

The Yellow Jacket's ensuing possession was anything but hopeful for AIC. It started with two incomplete passes, followed by a false start penalty. On 3^rd-and-15, Connor Cronk and Lou DiBiase took down the AIC quarterback for a loss of 18 yards. The Yellow Jackets did not convert on 4^th-and-33, allowing Bentley to ride back home down the Mass. Pike with its first win of 2025.

Edouard logged a career-high 96 rushing yards on 17 carries. His second rushing touchdown of the season came from seven yards out early in the second quarter, tying the game at 7-7.

Wide receiver Isaiah Decias caught both of Warnock's touchdown passes. The first scoring connection went for 23 yards early in the third quarter to give the Falcons a 20-13 lead. The duo connected again later in the quarter for 30 yards, pushing Bentley's lead to 34-20. Decias totaled 69 receiving yards on four catches.

The Falcons outscored AIC in the third quarter, 21-7.

Warnock totaled four touchdown in the win, two by air and two with his feet. His first touchdown of the game was a two-yard rush that gave Bentley a 13-7 lead midway through the second quarter.

Tight end Nayvon Reid finished with a team-high 72 yards on six receptions for Bentley.

Defensively, a trio of Falcons came away with seven tackles: Henry Schouten, Jake Fredericks, and Alex Barlow. Bentley forced three fumbles, two of which were recovered by the Falcons. David Brown Jr. added a third turnover for the Bentley defense with his first interception of the season.

Bentley has another road game next week at Southern Connecticut Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.