Rowan Comes from Behind to Defeat Football, 29-19
Glassboro, NJ – The Framingham State University football team jumped out to a 13-0 lead, but Rowan University rallied for a 29-19 victory this afternoon in non-conference football action. This was the first meeting between the two Universities.
The loss evens the Rams season record at 1-1, while Rowan is now 1-1 as well.
The Rams received a pair of first quarter touchdown passes from sophomore Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) to sophomore wide out Tevin Jones (Springfield, Mass.) to take the 13-0 lead. Silva completed 15 of 20 for 149 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Jones made a career-high 10 catches for 127 yards and two scores. Junior Matt Mangano (Winchester, Mass.) accounted for the Rams other score on a 7-yard run with 14:20 remaining in the game that put the Rams back on top 19:14.
Profs wide receiver Todd Guillaume (Irvington, NJ) caught a 25-yard touchdown pass with 6:40 to play in the fourth quarter to give Rowan University the lead for good and they would add a late touchdown with ten seconds remaining to reach the final margin.
Rowan trailed 13-7 at halftime, but scored 22 second half points to earn the victory. Quarterback Paul Hamersma (Tenafly, NJ) was 21 of 34 for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Wide Receiver Ed Eishenhart (Mullica Hill, NJ) caught nine passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, while running back Withler Marcelin (Ocean Twp., NJ) ran the ball 23 times for 69 yards.
Linebacker Dominic Caruso (Cherry Hill, NJ) recorded 11 tackles for the Profs' defense. He also had two sacks and two fumble recoveries in the win. Linebacker Tyler Jenkins (Woodbury, NJ) also had 11 tackles, 1.5 for loss, while defensive lineman Chris Alvarez (Cliffside Park, NJ) had 10 tackles.
Framingham jumped on the scoreboard first after recovering a Rowan fumble. The Rams needed just three plays, capped off by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Silva to Jones. Framingham then went up 13-0 in the second quarter, as Silva found Jones again, this time for 17 yards. The extra point was no good. At 2:59 of the second quarter, Rowan found the end zone as running back Matt Dortch (Wayne, NJ) scored on a one-yard run to make the score 13-7.
Rowan scored the only points of the third and took a 14-13 lead on a seven-yard touchdown reception by tight end Matt Hughes (Allendale, NJ). The drive started at the Framingham 25-yard line thanks to linebacker Tim Haslett's (Pennsville, NJ) interception.
Framingham took the lead back to start the fourth quarter as safety Mangano took a direct snap and ran it in for seven-yards, giving the Rams a 19-14 lead at 14:21. The Rams went for two and did not convert.
The two teams then traded possessions and Rowan got the football back with 10:34 on the clock. The Profs marched 90 yards in eight plays, capped off by the touchdown reception by Guillaume. The Rowan defense made two defensive stands in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter. The offense then capped off the scoring as Eisenhart caught a six-yard touchdown pass with 10-seconds on the clock.
Framingham used three quarterbacks today with Silva going 15 of 20 for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Jones made 10 catches for 127 yards, while running back Melikke Van Alstyne (Salem, MA) carried the ball 22 times for 63 yards.
The Rams defense was led by senior linebacker Pat McGrath (Everett, Mass.) who recorded a game-high 13 tackles, while Mangano had 11 and a fumble recovery that he returned 27 yards. Senior defensive end Chevere Archer (Lynn, Mass.) also recorded double digit tackles with 10 including three for a loss.
The Rams are back in action next Saturday for their home opener and Framingham's Homecoming and Family Weekend when they entertain Fitchburg State University at Bowditch Field with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.
Portions of release courtesy of Rowan Sports Information.