Football Begins 2018 Season with 34-13 Victory over Endicott
Framingham, Mass. - The Framingham State University football team received a pair of touchdown passes from junior Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) and a pair of rushing scores for classmate Rufus Rushins (Lynn, Mass.) as the Rams opened the 2018 season with a 34-13 victory over Endicott College at Framingham's Bowditch Field.
THE BASICS:
- Score: Framingham State 34, Endicott College 13
- Records: Framingham State (1-0), Endicott College (0-1)
- Location: Framingham, Mass. – Bowditch Field
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Endicott took the opening drive of the game and drove 57 yards on 13 plays taking the lead on a 35 yard field goal by Nick DiCairano.
- After missing a field goal on their first drive, the Rams scored the next 14 points of the game on a pair of first quarter touchdowns. An Endicott botched snap on a punt was recovered inside the one yard line by senior Marque Gibson (Springfield, Mass.) setting up a one yard scoring run from Rushins and Wojenski hit senior Napoleon Miller (Dorchester, Mass.) for a 13 yard score.
- Endicott cut the deficit to 14-6 on a 24 yard field goal from Nick DiCairano with 8:45 remaining in the second, but the Rams pushed the lead to 21-6 on a 20 yard TD pass from Wojenski to sophomore Shaquille Joseph (Somerville, Mass.).
- Senior Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.) returned the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown.
- Senior Rashaun Rivers' (Westfield, Mass.) interception and 47 yard return to the two yard line set up Rushins' second touchdown of the game giving the Rams a 34-6 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the game.
- Endicott received a five yard touchdown run from Dylan Bonfilio with just over seven minutes remaining in the third to account for the final points of the game
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The Rams and the Gulls have met in the season opener since 2008 with the Rams winning the last six in a row. The Gulls last defeated the Rams in the 2012 season opener for both schools.
- Wojenski finished the game 17-of-27 for 183 yards with two touchdowns and no picks, while also rushing for 28 yards.
- Wright rushed for 78 yards on 13 carries, while returning three kickoffs for 141 yards including a school record 98 yard kickoff return.
- Senior Mike Calicchio (Chelmsford, Mass.) caught four balls for 74 yards, while Miller made five catches for 50.
- Rivers and senior Kenneth Bartolo (Malden, Mass.) each recorded interceptions in the game for the Rams.
- Sophomore R.J. Fialli (Everett, Mass.) paced the defense with nine tackles, while junior Joshua Smiley (Springfield, Mass.) added eight and a sack.
- Freshman Henrique De Boni (Rio Claro, Brazil) converted four-of-five extra points.
- Bonfilio completed 13-of-27 passes for 125 yards, while also rushing for 39 yards and a score for the Gulls, while Joe Kalosky completed seven passes for 67 yards with two interceptions.
- The Rams amassed 396 yards of total offense in the game including 213 on the ground, while the Gulls racked up 346 yards of offense.
UP NEXT:
The Rams are back in action next Saturday when the travel to Cortland for a non-conference matchup beginning at noon, while the Gulls face another MASCAC opponent when they host Bridgewater State on Friday night at 7 p.m.