Football Holds on for 29-26 Victory over Fitchburg State
Fitchburg, Mass. – The Framingham State University football team took to the road for the first time this season and defeated Fitchburg State University 29-26 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both squads.
The Rams (2-1, 1-0 MASCAC) received a strong performance from junior running back Trevon Offley (Brockton, Mass.). Offley, who left the game on the Rams first possession of the third quarter, rushed for 151 yards on 17 carries in just over two quarters of action. Offley averaged 8.9 yards per carry and scored on 45 yard scamper in the second quarter that put the Rams on top for good.
The Falcons grabbed the early lead on a seven yard touchdown run by Cody Titus with 10:27 remaining in the first. After the extra point went wide left, the Rams trailed 6-0.
Quarterback Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) led the Rams on a 10 play, 81 yard drive capped by a 15 yard scoring toss to junior Tevin Jones (Springfield, Mass.) with 2:40 remaining in the first. Sean Wlasuk (Peabody, Mass.) nailed the extra point giving the Rams their first lead of the evening, 7-6.
Fitchburg State retook the lead in the opening seconds of the second on a two yard run by Jordan Almore, but the Rams came right back with a six play, 73 yard drive that featured a heavy dose of Offley including his 45 yard scoring run.
The Rams would add a touchdown and a field goal in the second to take a 23-12 lead at the half. Silva connected with senior Marcus Grant (Carver, Mass.) on a fade route in the corner of the end zone with 8:52 on the clock and Wlasuk would drill a 21 yard field goal with just under four minutes remaining.
After neither team found the end zone in the third, the Falcons cut into the Rams lead when Titus scored his second TD of the day, this one from a yard out. The Falcons went for two and failed to convert and trailed 23-18 with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth.
Senior safety Matt Mangano (Winchester, Mass.) would extend the Rams lead back to 11 when he intercepted Garrett Delechiaie and returned it 60 yards for the score. Mangano has returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns this season. The Rams went for two, but failed to convert and led 29-18 with 3:10 left.
Fitchburg State would not go away quietly as Titus found the end zone for the third time with 49 seconds remaining. Titus rushed for the two point conversion and the Falcons trailed by three, 29-26. The Falcons (2-1, 0-1 MASCAC) attempted the onside kick, but it was recovered by the Rams who were able to take a pair of knees and end the game.
Silva finished the game 17 of 38 for 212 yards with a pair of touchdowns and two picks, while senior Randall Kelleher (Swampscott, Mass.) led the receiving core with three catches for 70 yards including a long of 40.
Freshman Svenn Jacobson (Cumberland, ME) led the defense with a game and career-best 10 tackles and an interception. Senior Lewis Bailey (Chelmsford, Mass.) finished with nine tackles, while Mangano mad four stops to go along with the interception and a pass break up.
The Rams are back in action next Saturday on Homecoming and Family Weekend at Bowditch Field when they host Western Connecticut State at 12 p.m.