Football Defeats Fitchburg State 39-9
Fitchburg, Mass. – The Framingham State University football team rolled over the Fitchburg State University Falcons, 39-9 this afternoon in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division action at Elliot Field.
Junior Melikke Van Alstyne (Salem, Mass.) put forth a strong effort for the visitors, totaling 136 yards on 24 carries. Van Alstyne found the end-zone twice, while averaging 5.7 yards per carry, including a long of 37 yards. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Silva (Dracut, Mass.) was also solid behind center, finishing 16-of-23 with 185 yards and three TD passes, while Alexander Avery (Milford, Mass.) led the Rams receivers with seven catches for 112 yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, Mass.) was the lone bright spot for the Falcons, turning in 37 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown as the Rams defense stymied the Fitchburg State offense all afternoon. Framingham State held the Falcons to just 99 yards throughout the contest, while racking up 419 total yards with 200 of it coming on the ground.
The Rams opened the contest with an early 9-0 advantage as Phil Clain (Swampscott, Mass.) converted a 26 yard field and Van Alstyne notched a 37 yard TD run in the first quarter, but Fitchburg State got on the board on the PAT, as junior Tevin Beinaime (Swansea, Mass.) rushed back a blocked kick attempt by junior Talib Barksdale (Hudson, N.Y.).
Bienaimie's run back was the last points Fitchburg State would see until the fourth quarter as Framingham State took over the tempo of the game. The Rams forced six Falcon turnovers on the afternoon, leading to 30 unanswered points and a key NEFC victory.
Sophomore Randall Kelleher (Swampscott, Mass.) gave the Framingham State offense a lift at the 8:00 mark of the second with a 33 yard TD reception, while Tyrone Figueroa (Revere, Mass.) added a TD catch with just 0:58 remaining in the half.
Avery and Van Alstyne registered back-to-back scores to kick-off the Rams second half efforts, while Clain capped the Framingham State scoring with a 30 yard field at 11:23 of the fourth.
Junior Alex Alcala (Leominster, Mass.) sparked the Fitchburg State defense, turning in 12 tackles, including 5.5 stops for a loss, while also adding one forced fumble on the afternoon.
The Rams defense used a balance attack en route to three sacks and four interceptions. Chris Blydell (Lynn, Mass.) lead the way with six stops, including five solo efforts and one assist, while Brian Castellanos (Peabody, Mass.) had three interceptions in the game for 112 yards to go along with three tackles.
Fitchburg State (2-4, 1-2 NEFC) will be back in action next Saturday as it visits Mass. Maritime Academy at 12 p.m. Framingham State (5-1, 3-0 NEFC) will host Maine Maritime at 1 p.m. next Saturday.
Release courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information.