Leone, Van Alstyne and McCarthy Reach Milestones as Football Defeats Worcester 42-21

Framingham, Mass.  — The Framingham State University football team was six for six on scoring chances in the red zone and forced three turnovers as the Rams defeated Worcester State 42-21 this afternoon at Maple Street Field in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division action.          

The Rams finish the regular season 8-2 which is the best record by a Framingham State football team.  It marks the first time that the Rams have finished .500 or better in three consecutive seasons since 1974-76.  With the win, the Rams improve to 6-1 in the Bogan Division and finish the regular season in a tie with Maine Maritime, who is also 6-1 after defeating Coast Guard this afternoon.  The Rams did capture the 2010 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Football Regular Season Championship as they went 5-0 against MASCAC opponents.

Worcester State finishes the 2010 season 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the division.

Framingham State senior quarterback Kurt Leone (Marshfield, Mass.) completed 22 of 33 passes for 263 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.  Leone has thrown for 2,704 yards this season and 31 touchdowns which are both single season school records. Leone broke the passing yards record on an 18 yard completion to senior Shawn Miller (Tyngsboro, Mass.) in the fourth quarter.

Junior wide receiver James McCarthy (Newton, Mass.), who was leading the nation in scoring heading into today's game, made three catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns.  McCarthy became the first Framingham State wide receiver to surpass the 1,000 yard receiving mark in a single season on his second touchdown catch of the game - a 15 yard TD reception with 10:40 remaining in the third quarter.

Freshman running back Melikke Van Alstyne (Salem, Mass.) became just the second Framingham State running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.  Van Alstyne, who rushed for 62 yards on 13 carries, eclipsed 1,000 on a 13 yard gain in the fourth quarter.

Worcester State sophomore Graham Asum (Marlboro, Mass.) took the opening kickoff and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown to give the Lancers a quick 7-0 lead.

The Rams answered with a touchdown drive of their own as they went 43 yards on six plays capped by an 11 yard touchdown pass from Leone to Miller.  After Phil Cosmos' (Natick, Mass.) hit the extra point the game was tied 7-7 with 11:34 remaining in the game.

The Framingham State defense took over from there as they held WSU to -5 yards and forced two turnovers on the Lancers next three possession.  The Rams offense converted both turnovers into points.

Senior linebacker Adam Emery (Dorchester, Mass.) sacked WSU quarterback Tony Tokarz (Holden, Mass.) and stripped the ball away for the first turnover.  The Rams converted the turnover into points as Lone scored on an eight yard run with 8:45 remaining in the first quarter to give FSU the lead for good.

Freshman defensive back Weslee Galloway (Brockton, Mass.) intercepted Tokarz and returned it all the way to the Worcester State one yard line.  After a false start on the Rams, senior Dave Leach scampered in from six yards out giving the Rams a 21-7 lead.

Worcester State pulled within seven points, 21-14, just before the half as junior Marcus Price (Worcester, Mass.) scored from three yards out.

The Rams added two more scores in the third quarter – McCarthy's 15 yard touchdown grab and a two yard run by Leach – to take control of the game and open up a 35-14 lead.

Framingham State's defense continued to keep the Lancers out of the end zone and Leach hit McCarthy with a 16 yard touchdown pass with 9:01 remaining in the game to open up a 42-14 lead.

The Lancers would tack on a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a two yard reverse by freshman wide receiver Andrew Scerra (Marlboro, Mass.).

The Rams amassed 422 yards of total offense in the game – 279 passing and 143 rushing – to just 169 total yards for the Lancers.  The Rams defense held the Lancers to just 89 yards rushing and 80 yards passing while sacking the Lancers quarterback three times.

Senior Anthony Pappagallo (Malden, Mass.) led the Ram defense with a team-high ten tackles including nine solo stops and two tackles for a loss.  Freshman Tom Cochrane (Plainville, Mass.) added seven tackles, while Emery chipped in two sacks, a forced fumble and one quarterback hurry. Senior defensive back Brent Loveless (Billerica, Mass.) finished the game with four tackles and an interception, while Leach finished with 53 yards rushing two touchdowns and a touchdown pass.

Price led the Lancers with 78 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Tyler Russell (Princeton, Mass.) led the defense with a game-high 14 tackles.