Rams Celebrate Homecoming with Win Over Worcester State

Framingham, MA - The Framingham State College football team defeated Worcester State 42-21 today at Framingham's Maple Street Field on Homecoming and Family Weekend.  The Rams, who last beat Worcester during the 1992 season, snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Lancers and picked up their first NEFC Bogan Division win of the season.

The Rams defense was the difference in the game as they caused three turnovers and held the Lancers to just 243 yards of total offense with only 45 of those yards coming on the ground.  Sophomore linebacker Anthony Pappagallo (Malden, MA) had a game-high 11 tackles including five solo stops, while sophomore defensive back James McCarthy (Newton, MA) had two interceptions on the day. 

The Rams (3-2, 1-1) offense amassed 444 yards of total offense and was again led by the duo of senior quarterback Bruce Rich (Chelmsford, MA) and junior running back Dave Leach (Chelmsford, MA).  Rich and Leach connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:34 left in the first quarter and after the extra point was converted by Phil Cosmos (Natick, MA) the Rams were up 7-0.

Worcester State's offense responded on their next possession with a 10 play, 62 yard drive capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass from senior Pat Good (Hull, MA) to junior Joe DiCalogero (Walpole, MA) to tie the game at 7-7 with 13:42 left in the half.

Leach returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Worcester 32-yard line to set up the go ahead score for the Rams.  After a couple of Worcester State penalties, Leach would break a tackle and scamper in from three yards out for his first rushing touchdown.  Worcester tied the score at 14-14 just before the half as Good threw his second touchdown pass of the day.

On the Lancers (1-4, 1-1) first possession of the second half, McCarthy (Newton, MA) intercepted a pass from Good and returned it 48 yards to the Worcester State 7-yard line.  After Leach gained three yards on first down, Rich ran it twice and scored from two yards out with 12:19 remaining to put the Rams ahead 21-14.

The Rams defense forced the Lancers to punt on their next three possessions, while the Rams scored three touchdowns.  Leach scored from nine yards out with 8:10 remaining in the third quarter and then sophomore tight end Corey Steele (Andover, MA) corralled a deflected pass in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown.    Rich completed a 12 yard pass to freshman wide receiver Jonathan Hayes (Framingham, MA) who then pitched the ball to Leach streaking down the sideline.  Leach caught the defense off guard and went untouched into the end zone for the touchdown to put the Rams up 42-14 with 11:43 left in the game.  The Lancers added a touchdown with 9:21 left in the game on a six yard run by sophomore Garrett Jones (Stow, MA) to reach the final score of 42-21.

Framingham's Rich had another outstanding day under center as he completed 20 of 27 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns.  Jonathan Hayes had a career day with 10 catches for 147 yards which are both career and season highs.  Leach, who has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Rams first five games, rushed for 104 yards on 25 carries with two TDs and had five catches for 80 yards and two TDs.

The Rams return to action next Saturday as they host Bridgewater State at 1 p.m., while the Lacers host Maine Maritime at 1 p.m.