Late Touchdown Lifts Plymouth State to 29-28 Win Over Football

Framingham, Mass. - The Framingham State University football team surrendered a touchdown in the game's final two minutes as the Rams were defeated 29-28 by Plymouth State this afternoon on Homecoming and Family Weekend in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Bowditch Field.

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Plymouth State 29, Framingham State 28

- Records: Framingham State (4-2, 3-1 MASCAC), Plymouth State (3-3, 2-3 MASCAC)

- Location: Bowditch Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards on just five plays to get on the board first. Junior Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) started the drive with a 28 yard completion to senior Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.) and capped the drive with an 18 yard touchdown strike to Wright.  Freshman Henrique DeBoni converted the extra point for the 7-0 lead.
• Plymouth answered with a touchdown drive of their own on their first possession of the game.  The Panthers, who converted on three third downs on the drive, went 69 yards on 12 plays using just under seven minutes.  Junior David Hamilton capped the drive with an 11 yard scoring run and the extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 6:03 left in the first.
• Plymouth took their first lead of the game, 10-7, with 30 seconds remaining in the first on a 35 yard field goal from sophomore Jeremy Martin.
• The Rams defense forced the Panthers to turn the ball over on downs on the opening possession of the second after a pass break up from senior Rashaun Rivers (Westfield, Mass.) on a fourth and two.
• The Rams took possession on their own 29 yard line and went 71 yards on 14 plays retaking the lead on a two yard touchdown run from junior Rufus Rushins (Lynn, Mass.). After DeBoni converted the PAT the Rams led 14-10 with 3:18 left in the third.
• Martin converted his second field goal of the game in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Martin hit from 29 yards out pulling the Panthers within one, 14-13, with just under 13 left to play.
• The Rams drove right back down the field and pushed the lead back to six on a 17 yard end around touchdown run by senior Napoleon Miller (Dorchester, Mass.). After the extra point was missed, the Rams led 20-13 with 9:36 to play.
• After the kickoff, the Panthers needed just one play – an 80 yard touchdown pass from senior Zack Edwards to junior Jacob Szulc – to score. After Martin converted the extra point, the game was tied 20-20 with 9:17 on the clock.
• The Rams fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and recovered the ball in the end zone for a safety giving the Panthers a 22-20 lead.
• Plymouth State had the ball back after the safety and was driving, but junior Jack Sullivan (Dartmouth, Mass.) intercepted Edwards at the 35 yard line and returned the ball 65 yards for the go ahead score. The Rams went for two and Wright hit Miller for the two point conversion giving the Rams a 28-22 lead with 6:33 remaining.
• The Panthers answered with a nine play, 68 yard drive capped by a 17 yard touchdown pass from Edwards to Max Osgood tying the game. After Martin converted the extra point, the Panthers led 29-28 with 1:55 remaining.
• The Rams drove in the final two minutes and moved the ball down to the Plymouth 35 yard line.  On fourth down, Wojenski's final pass with 15 second remaining in the game went to the end zone but fell incomplete.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sullivan was the recipient of the 2018 Calder Award after the game after recording six tackles, all solo, with an interception return for a touchdown. The Calder Award is presented annually to the MVP for the Homecoming Game for Framingham State in memory of former Ram John Calder.
• Junior Joshua Smiley (Springfield, Mass.) paced the Rams with nine tackles, including eight solo and a sack, while Rivers finished the game with six tackles and four pass break ups.
• Wojenski finished the game 28-of-42 for 280 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
• Wright finished the game with eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 50 yards on nine carries.  Senior Mike Calicchio (Chelmsford, Mass.) caught 11 balls for 102 yards, while Miller finished with seven catches for 40 yards while rushing for 32 and a score.
• Hamilton finished the game with 130 yard rushing for the Panthers on 30 carries with a touchdown.
• Edwards completed 13-of-28 in the game for 231 yards with two touchdowns and a pick while being sacked twice.
• Szulc caught four balls for 149 yards a score, while Terrell Lewis had six catches for 45 yards.

UP NEXT:

The Rams are in action next week when they travel to Westfield State for a MASCAC contest beginning at 2 p.m.  The Panthers return home next weekend when they host Mass. Maritime at 1 p.m.