Strong Second Half Leads Football over UMass Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Mass. – The Framingham State University football team scored 34 unanswered second half points to snap a 14-all halftime tie to earn a 48-14 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth football team this afternoon at Cressy Field. 

Junior quarterback Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) completed 23 of his 31 attempts for a season-high 448 passing yards and three touchdowns with one interception.  The signal-caller from Dracut, Mass. cracked the scoring column with a two-yard plunge on the Rams' opening possession.  Silva spread his passes around as eight student-athletes registered at least one catch, led by junior Tevin Jones (Springfield, Mass.).  Jones eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time this season, hauling in five catches for 120 yards and a season-high three TDs.  Sophomore Chris Dagg (Bellingham, Mass.) made the most of his three catches, recording 96 yards.  Junior running back Hunter Beckmann (Shrewsbury, Mass.) tallied 87 yards on 11 carries, including two touchdowns.

Freshman Cory Burnham (Essex, Mass.) piloted the Corsair (2-3, 1-2) attack, accounting for 140 yards of total offense.  Burnham was 14-for-22 with 141 passing yards and did not commit a turnover.  Senior Abiola Aborishade (Attleboro, Mass.) pulled in seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, while senior Jake Scott (Somerset, Mass.) and sophomore John Beardsley (Essex, Mass.) each registered two receptions.  Junior Preston Cooper (Wareham, Mass.) rushed for 32 yards on 13 carries.

Trailing 7-0, UMass Dartmouth responded with a six-play, 72-yard drive to even the score.  Junior wide receiver Jason Ferri (Billerica, Mass.) capped the drive with a 12-yard run down the left sideline, breaking several tackles to cross the goal line.  The Corsairs converted the extra point to turn up field with the scored tied at 7-7.

The hosts were able to force a Framingham State turnover on the ensuing possession deep in their own territory.  Junior Derek Tarpey (Tewksbury, Mass.) intercepted a Silva pass on 4th and 1 at the UMD 12 and returned the ball 43 yards to midfield.  However, UMass Dartmouth was unable to take advantage of the turnover as its drive stalled three yards shy of the first down.

The Rams (4-1, 3-0) regained the lead midway through the second stanza, when Silva connected with Jones for a 57-yard strike.  Unfazed, the Corsairs followed suit marching 71 yards down the field to draw even.  Burnham stepped up in the pocket and delivered a 35-yard touchdown pass to Aborishade just inside the pylon to send both teams into the halftime intermission tied at 14.

Framingham State seized control of the conference contest on its first possession of the second half.  The Rams marched the opening kickoff 75 yards down the field to take an advantage they would never relinquish.  Silva lofted a fade into the left corner that Jones was able to pull in for a one-yard score.   

UMass Dartmouth tried to gain some momentum when freshman Jared Louf-Woods (Salem, Mass.) blocked the extra point attempt.

The visitors turned up their defensive intensity in the second half, limiting the hosts to 31 total yards of offense.  The Framingham State offense fed off the momentum, scoring touchdowns on its final four drives to seal the victory.

The Rams are back in action next Saturday at home when they entertain Westfield State at Bowditch Field with a noon kickoff.

Release courtesy of UMD Sports Information.