Football Soars to 41-7 Win over Fitchburg State
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University football team amassed 325 yards of total offense as they defeated Fitchburg State 41-7 this afternoon in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division action at Maple Street Field.
With the win the Rams even improve to 4-2 on the year and remain unbeaten in the division at 3-0, while the loss drops the Falcons to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the Bogan Division.
The Rams accumulated 325 yards of total offense (167 rushing and 158 passing) to just 123 total yards for the Falcons (94 rushing and 29 passing). The Rams committed five turnovers in the game, but their defense got five takeaways which led to three touchdown drives.
Sophomore quarterback Dino Mancinelli (Madison, Conn.) returned from injury this week and completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 158 yards and three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Senior wide receiver James McCarthy (Newton, Mass.) made five catches for 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while junior Alex Avery (Milford, Mass.) had three receptions for 54 yards and a score.
The Rams took the opening possession kickoff and drove 59 yards on four plays for the game's first score. Mancinelli completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to McCarthy on the left sideline.
The Rams defense followed with their first take away of the game – a Mark Nunes (Taunton, Mass.) interception – that set the Rams up on their own 25 yard line. Sophomore tailback Melikke Van Alstyne (Salem, Mass.) capped the Rams second scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run that put Framingham ahead 13-0 just over eight minutes into the game.
The Rams would add a pair of touchdowns before the half to take a 27-0 lead at the break. Late in the first quarter Mancinelli and McCarthy connected on their second TD of the game, this one a 17-yard strike and late in the second after Sam Hill (Lynn, Mass.) recovered a Falcon fumble that set the Rams up with a short field Mancinelli hit Avery in the back corner of the end zone for a score.
The Falcons finally got on the board with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter as their defense recovered a Framingham fumble giving the offense the ball on the Rams 49-yard line. Eight plays later, after the Falcons' drive was kept alive by a pair of Ram penalties on fourth downs including a pass interference call that negated an interception, sophomore running back Chris Bachand (Newington, Conn.) scored the Falcons only touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run.
The Rams would add a pair of touchdowns down the stretch to reach the final margin of 41-7. Van Alstyne scored his second of the game on a one yard run with 1:05 left in the third and freshman Greg Little (Danvers, Mass.) scored on a one yard QB keeper with just over five left in the game.
VanAlstne finished the game with 171 yards rushing on 26 carries with a pair of touchdowns. The defense was led by Patrick McGrath (Everett, Mass.) who picked up a team-high nine tackles and forced a fumble, while junior James Muirhead (Lakeville, Mass.) added a pair of sacks and QB hurry. Freshman Ony Ramos (Lawrence, Mass.) had two interceptions and made five stops in the game, while Nunes also made five stops with a pick.
Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, Mass.) led the Falcons with 69 yards on 13 carries, while Barchand rushed for 30 yards and a score. Brian McDonald (Westwood, Mass.) and Tanner Bachand (Newington, Conn.) split time at quarterback and were each sacked twice. The Falcon defense was led by senior Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass.) who picked up a game-high 10 tackles including nine solo stops and a sack. Senior defensive back Charlie Rose (Gloversville, NY) picked up a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble for the Falcons.
The Rams return to action next Saturday as they travel to Maine Maritime Academy for a 1 p.m. kickoff, while the Falcons host Massachusetts Maritime Academy at 1:30 p.m.