New London — A noteworthy number of things happened this week at the Coast Guard Academy in accordance with Homecoming week festivities.

An Athletic Hall of Fame class was inducted. The corps of cadets marched in a regimental review, with all the spit and polish befitting a U.S. military academy. There was a visit from retired Coast Guard admiral Thad Allen, who, most famously, directed the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

Then there was the football team, which, in addition to all that, was focused on molding a new, run-based offense.

It was an offense it ran effectively, too, Saturday afternoon, despite a 30-21 loss to MIT before a sold-out crowd of 4,452 fans at Cadet Memorial Field.

“We have a ton of guys who have plenty of focus,” said Coast Guard senior captain Cody Bain, who moved from his spot at wide receiver to line up in the backfield, carrying nine times for 42 yards and a touchdown. “Even if we only practice an hour, an hour and a half, we give 100 percent.

“I'm pleased with the way the guys put forth a 100 percent effort.”

Coast Guard's changes came due to an injury to starting quarterback Ethan Goldcamp in Week 4. Goldcamp suffered a concussion and has not yet been cleared from it, throwing sophomore backup Ryan Jones into the lineup.

Jones was a dual threat in high school and, after watching him barrel over a few defenders on the run in his first few appearances — head down, no quit — the coaching staff set about changing up a few things to play to his strengths.

And so, one year removed from a season in which Coast Guard passed for 3,222 yards, it ran the ball an uncharacteristic 46 times Saturday for 187 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with 319 yards overall in the loss.

“We reverted back to some run game … we really haven't used it as much the last couple years,” Coast Guard coach Bill George said. “You can't just keep hammering away at the same thing and saying you're going to get better. You've got to keep battling. We got some offense going. We got some footing on the ground for a new offense.”

Coast Guard scored with 7 minutes, 17 seconds remaining on an 8-yard run by Jones, pulling within 20-14 and capping an emotional series of events for Jones.

He was flattened by MIT's Andrew DeNucci, who was ejected for targeting. Jones left the game, but game back later in the series to bull his way for four yards and a first down. He then threw two interceptions.

But Jones, in keeping with the toughness he has exhibited thus far in the season, came back with a strike to a wide open Chip Crowley 53 yards down field, which gave the Bears the ball at the MIT 13. Bain rushed for five yards to the 8 and Jones followed with his touchdown. Cole Austin's extra point pulled Coast Guard within six.

That set up a rush to the finish.

MIT's Mark Wright kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 23-14 with 2:31 to play, but Jones responded once again with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Justin Moffatt with 1:27 remaining to carve the deficit back to 23-21.

With the Bears defense rallying to get the ball back in Jones' hands one more time, however, MIT's John Robertson escaped with a 43-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach with a minute to play.

Coast Guard fell to 3-5 overall, 1-4 in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. MIT is 6-1, 4-0.

“A minute and a half left and we were (two points) away from the No. 2 team in New England?” George said. “I'm probably more disappointed than I should be, but that's just walking off the field. I'm still in the last few minutes of the game.”

Jones finished with 14 carries for 59 yards and Cam Cecchini had 11 for 51. Jones was 11-for-22 with 132 yards and three interceptions, in addition to the touchdown. Jake Behne led the defense with eight tackles and Vince DeTerlizzi had an interception.

Robertson carried 28 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns for MIT, which led 20-7 at halftime.

v.fulkerson@theday.com