Football Rushes Past Endicott 41-10 to Open Season
Beverly, Mass. – The Framingham State University football team opened the 2017 season with over 500 yards of total offense this afternoon in a 41-10 road victory over Endicott College at Hempstead Stadium.
The Rams (1-0) have defeated the Gulls in the season opener for both teams for the fifth straight season with the Gulls (0-1) last defeating the Rams in the 2012 season opener.
The Rams racked up 502 yards of total offense, while the Rams defense held the Gulls to just 262 yards of offense including just 42 net rushing yards. The Rams threw for 233 yards in the game, while the rushing for 269.
Endicott had an opportunity to get on the board just over six minutes in the first after a long pass completion by Joe Kalosky gave the Gulls the ball on the Ram 22 yard line. After the Rams defense stopped the Gulls short of a first down on the first three plays, the Gulls opted to go for it on fourth down and were once again stopped by the Ram defense turning the ball over on downs.
A short punt from the end zone by the Rams gave the Gulls the ball on the Ram 22 yard line on their next possession. The Rams defense once again forced the Gulls into a fourth down, but this time the Gulls converted a 34 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with less than a minute remaining in the first.
On the ensuing possession, the Rams got on the board and took the lead for good. Sophomore Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) connected with senior Mike Calicchio (Chelmsford, Mass.) down the sideline. Calicchio made a diving catch for a 37 yard gain to the Gull 38 yard line. After a run, Wojenski completed a 37 yard pass down the sideline to junior Napoleon Miller (Boston, Mass.) for a first down at the 4-yard line. Two plays later, sophomore Rufus Rushins (Lynn, Mass.) plunged into the end zone from two yards out. After a botched snap on the extra point, the Rams led 6-3 with 14:30 remaining in the half.
After the Rams defense once again forced the Gulls to turn the ball over on downs with a sack on fourth down, the Rams needed three plays to go 65 yards for their second touchdown of the game. Junior Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.) accounted for all of the offense on the drive gaining seven and three yards for a first down, before breaking away for a 55 yard touchdown. The Rams missed the extra point and led 12-3.
The Rams added one more score before the half on a 13 yard touchdown pass from senior Zak Walker (Sterling, Mass.) to Calicchio that capped a five play, 76 yard drive. Walker rushed in for the two point conversion and after another stop by the defense the Rams led 20-3 at the half.
The Rams found the end zone twice in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Senior Cody Wlasuk (Peabody, Mass.) recorded his first interception of the season near midfield of the Gull opening drive of the second half. Wojenski connected with Miller for a 15 yard touchdown on the Rams possession. The key play of the drive was a 17 yard catch by senior Stephen Beahn (Spencer, Mass.) on third down to keep the drive alive.
With just over two minutes remaining in the third, Wojenski connected with Calicchio for a six yard touchdown capping a nine play, 66 yard drive.
The Gulls found the end zone on a two yard run by Lavonte Wiggins in the opening minutes of the fourth for their only touchdown of the game, and Rushins added his second touchdown run of the game with just over seven minutes remaining.
Wright paced the Rams ground attack rushing for 169 yards on 22 attempts with a touchdown, while Rushins rushed for 58 yards on 11 tries with a pair of scores. Wojenski finished the day going 8-of-15 for 177 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, while Walker completed 4-of-5 pass attempts for 56 yards and a score. Calicchio hauled in five catches for 101 yards with two touchdowns, while Miller made two catches for 52 yards and a score.
The Rams defense was led by 10 tackles, seven solo, including two for a loss and a forced fumble from senior Nathan Fleming (Windham, CT). Senior Jaquan Harris (Boston, Mass.) added five solo stops and a pass breakup, while Wlasuk finished with a sack and an interception.
The Rams are back in action next Saturday when they host Cortland at Bowditch Field at noon.