Football Opens MASCAC Action with 34-13 Victory over Bridgewater State

Framingham, Mass. - The Framingham State University football team scored 13 points in the second quarter to erase a six point deficit and take the lead for good in a 34-13 victory over Bridgewater State University this afternoon in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both schools at Bowditch Field.

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Framingham State 34, Bridgewater State 13

- Records: Framingham State (2-1, 1-0 MASCAC), Bridgewater State (1-2, 0-1 MASCAC)

- Location: Bowditch Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a scoreless first quarter, the Bears took the lead just five seconds into the second on a five yard touchdown pass from Stefano D'Emilia (Bridgewater, Mass.) to Jack Lavanchy (Walpole, Mass.).  After the extra point was missed, the Bears led 6-0.  The Bears 13 play, 57 yard touchdown drive was kept alive by a roughing the passer penalty in the Rams on a third and three incompletion.
• The Rams answered with a touchdown on their next possession of the game.  Junior Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) capped an 11 play, 63 yard drive with a three yard touchdown run. After the extra point was blocked the game was tied 6-6 with just over 10 remaining in the half.
• Bridgewater State was driving on their next possession but an interception by Rams senior Nasir Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) in the end zone ended the scoring threat.
• The Rams took the lead for good with just over five minutes to play in the half on a 67 yard touchdown strike from Wojenski to sophomore Shaquille Joseph (Somerville, Mass.) on a second and 12 in their own territory.  After freshman Henrique De Boni (Rio Claro, Brazil) converted the extra point, the Rams led 13-6.
• The Rams had a chance to score again in the final seconds of the frame, but the Bears came up with a stop on fourth and goal from the seven yard line.
• Wojenski tossed his third touchdown of the game midway through the third quarter pushing the lead to 20-6. This one was a 17 yard pass to sophomore Mikael Brown (Latham, NJ).  The drive started with a 50 yard completion from Wojenski to Joseph.
• Freshman Steven Silvia (Dighton, Mass.) set up the Bears final touchdown of the game with an interception and 32 yard return down to the Rams three yard line. Junior Nick Santavicca (Yorktown Heights, NY) scored on the first play from scrimmage for the Bears with 4:35 left in the third.
• Junior Rufus Rushins (Lynn, Mass.) accounted for the Rams final two scores of the game finding the end zone from a yard out in the closing minute of the third and scoring from three yards out with just under four remaining in the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Wojenski completed 20-of-38 pass attempts for 309 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, while being sacked twice.
• Rushins finished the game with eight carries for 52 yards and a pair of scores, while senior Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.) had 63 yards on 11 carries.
• Joseph finished the game with four catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, while senior Mike Calicchio (Chelmsford, Mass.) had six for 82 yards.
• D'Emilia finished the game 12-of-26 for 98 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Brad Thilgen completed just three passes for 19 yards in the second half.
• Lavanchy caught nine passes for 61 yards and a score, while Santavicca finished with 17 carries for 25 yards and a touchdown.
• Seniors Eli Etienne (Moorestown, NJ) and Darian Belizaire (Framingham, Mass.) paced the defense with eight tackles apiece.  Etienne recorded seven solo stops including two for a loss.
• Senior DeSean Hart (Atlantic City, NJ) and junior Joshua Smiley (Springfield, Mass.) added seven tackles apiece, while Hart also added an interception.
• The Bears defense was led by a game-best 10 tackles from Michael Rosa, while Rhondell Teesdale added eight including one for a loss.
• The Rams amassed 494 yards of total offense in the game including 309 yards passing.  The Bears managed 172 yards of total offense with 103 of those coming in the first half.

UP NEXT:

The Rams are back on the road next Saturday when they travel to Massachusetts Maritime for a noon game with the Kelley Cup on the line.