Football Opens Season with Loss to Nichols

Framingham, MA- The Framingham State Rams opened up the 2007 season at home today on Maple Street Field with a 14-0 non-conference loss to the visiting Bison of Nichols College.  Nichols moves to 1-0 on the season, while the Rams are 0-1.

After Framingham State turned the ball over on downs on the opening possession of the game, the Bison capitalized on the short field with a six play twenty-one yard drive capped off by a six yard touchdown run by freshman quarterback Justin Nelson (Oceanside, CA).  The Bison would take the 7-0 lead into the second quarter as neither team was able to generate much offense in the first quarter.

On their first possession of the second quarter, the Bison would add another score as they went 87 yards on eight plays.  On the drive Nelson rushed three times for twenty-eight yards and completed three of four passes for 39 yards including a 24 yard touchdown pass to sophomore running back Anthony Pillari (Lamberton, NJ).

The Bison held an advantage in total offense on the day as they amassed 290 yards to the Rams 175.  The Bison defense was led by freshman linebacker Curtis Smith (New Haven, CT) who had eight tackles including three tackles for losses.  The Rams defense was led by freshman Anthony Pappagallo (Malden, MA) who picked up nine tackles and senior defensive back Justin Paull (Taunton, MA) who had eight tackles.

Nelson finished the day for Nichols nine of eighteen for 101 yards and one touchdown and rushed for sixty-eight yards and a touchdown on fifteen carries.  Freshman running back Chris Stewart rushed for seventy-five yards on twenty carries.

The Rams return to action next Saturday as they travel to MIT for a 2 p.m. kick-off, while the Bison host Worcester State next weekend.