Football Sails Past Maine Maritime, 56-0
Release courtesy of Andrew Mowry
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University football team set four school records as the Rams improved to 4-0 in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division and 6-1 on the season with a 56-0 victory over the Mariners from Maine Maritime Academy this afternoon at Maple Street Field.
The Rams set a new school record for points in a game with 56 surpassing the old record of 53 which was set a year ago and for largest margin of victory. The old record of 49 had stood since the 1973 season when the Rams defeated Lowell Tech 49-0. The Rams also established a new single season shutout mark with three thus far in 2012 and a new mark for consecutive victories in a single season as today's win extends their current win streak to six.
The defense posted their third shutout this season, and the offense was efficient in one of the most complete games of the season for the Rams. Sophomore Matt Mangano (Winchester, Mass.) got things started with a 4-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, after the Mariners went three and out on their first possession. Mangano would go on to rush for three touchdowns on the afternoon.
After a second Maine Maritime three-and-out, freshman quarterback Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) found sophomore wide out Randall Kelleher (Swampscott, Mass.) on a post-pattern for 62 yards to give the Rams a 15-0 lead.
Silva would go on to throw for 330 yards and three touchdowns as he completed 16-of-19 passes in the game. The others touchdown tosses coming in the second quarter on a nine-yard strike to senior Alex Avery (Milford, Mass.), and the other to sophomore Phil Clain (Swampscott, Mass.) from 7-yards out as the Rams would lead 35-0 at the half.
Junior linebacker Sam Hill would later say, "The offense put points on the board and made it easy for us today."
The Rams defense forced four turnovers in the game including a Tyrone Notice (Gardner, Mass.) interception in the second half and two Michael Altavesta (Tewksbury, Mass.) forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.
Altavesta would also add 13-tackels to go along with 10 from captain James Murihead (Middleboro, Mass.) as the Rams came in prepared to stop the triple-option offense.
Defense Coordinator Jeff More said a large part to their success was, "keeping it simple and playing assignment football. "
For the Mariners, freshman Michael Fahey (Union, NY) rushed for 97-yards on 28-carries, while sophomore fullback Dylan Webster (Belfast, ME) rushed for 35 on nine attempts. The Mariners will look for their first win on the season next weekend against Massachusetts Maritime at home with the 40th Annual Admiral's Cup on the line.
Thanks to a Bridgewater State win over Worcester State, the Rams now control their own density for the remaining three games. Framingham State will travel to Westfield next weekend in sole possession of first place in the Bogan Standings with kickoff against the Owls slated for 2 p.m.