Football Drops Second Straight - Fall 21-2 to Westfield State
Framingham, Mass. - The Westfield State College defense kept the Framingham State College offense out of the end zone and forced four turnovers as the Owls defeated the Rams 21-2 in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division action this afternoon at Maple Street Field. The Owls even their record at 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the division with the win, while the loss drops the Rams to 4-3 on the season and 2-2 in divisional play.
The Owls offense drove 80 yards in six plays on their first possession of the game and took just 2:39 to reach the end zone. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Anderson (Westminster, Mass.) rushed for 16 yards and, after a Luke Johnson (South Attleboro, Mass.) rush, completed a pass for seven yards giving the Owls the a first down on their own 46 yard line. On the next play, Anderson completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to wide out Evan Berneche (Chicopee, Mass.). After Chris Stengel converted the point after the Owls led 7-0 with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter.
The Owls defense took over from there as they forced the Rams to turn the ball over on downs on their next possession and then forced their first turnover of the day as Dave Jolicoeur (Wilbraham, Mass.) intercepted a Dave Leach (Chelmsford, Mass.) pass attempt.
The Rams defense forced a Westfield State fumble on the ensuing possession which was recovered by junior Joe Treacy (Wakefield, Mass.) giving the Rams excellent field position on the Westfield 39 yard line. The Rams were unable to capitalize on the Owls turnover as the Westfield State defense forced a three and out. Defensive lineman Adrian Lafayette (Springfield, Mass.) had the key play on the drive as he sacked FSC quarter back Patrick Franey (Waltham, Mass.) for a 15-yard loss on third down.
Neither team generated much offense for the remainder of the first half but the Owls defense forced an interception on the Rams final possession of the half.
The Owls defense intercepted the Rams twice in the third quarter and converted each turnover into a touchdown to extend their lead to 21-0. Junior Brian Anderson (Stoneham, Mass.) picked off a Franey pass and returned it 24 yards to the Framingham five yard line with just over eight minutes remaining in the third. It took the Owls one play, a five yard rush by Johnson, to reach the end zone and after the extra point was good by Stengel the Owls led 14-0.
On the Rams next possession, Josh Mathieu (Fitchburg, Mass.) intercepted Franey and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown and the 21-0 lead with 6:50 remaining in third.
After Framingham's next drive stalled at the Westfield 31-yard line, Franey's punt pinned the Owls on their own two yard line. The Rams defense forced a three and out and the Owls were forced to punt backed up in their own end zone. Freshman James Muirhead (Middleboro, Mass.) came right up the middle and blocked the punt for a safety that would prove to the Rams only points on the day.
Anderson finished the day 5 of 14 with one interception and a touchdown for the Owls. He also rushed for 63 yards on 18 carries. Senior linebacker Chris James (Athol, Mass.) led the Owls defense with a game-high 12 tackles, while Nick Gniadek (Northbridge, Mass.) chipped 11 tackles including three for a loss.
Treacy and junior Adam Emery (Dorchester, Mass.) led the Rams defense with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Franey struggled on the day as he completed just 6 of 21 with for 77 yards with three interceptions and Leach finished with 93 yards on 30 carries.
The Rams return to action next Saturday as they travel to Maine Maritime Academy for a noon kick-off, while the Owls host Bridgewater State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.