Defense Key as Football Soars Past Fitchburg State 26-7

Framingham, Mass. - The Framingham State University football team received a pair of interceptions from senior cornerback Kenneth Bartolo (Malden, Mass.), one of which led to a touchdown, as the Rams defeated Fitchburg State University 26-7 this afternoon in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Bowditch Field.

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Framingham State 26, Fitchburg State 7

- Records: Framingham State (4-1, 3-0 MASCAC), Fitchburg State (1-5, 1-3 MASCAC)

- Location: Bowditch Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Fitchburg State had the first possession of the game and on the third play from scrimmage Bartolo intercepted freshman quarterback Brandon Brown at the Falcons 45 yard line and returned it three yards to the 42.
• The Rams capitalized and needed just nine plays to go the 42 yards for the game's first score.  Junior Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) connected on a seven yard touchdown pass to senior Napoleon Miller (Dorchester, Mass.) on a fourth and four.  After freshman Henrique DeBoni (Rio Claro, Brazil) connected on the extra point, the Rams led 7-0 with just over nine minutes remaining in the first.
• Wojenski and Miller would connect for the Rams second touchdown of the game in the opening minutes of the second quarter.  Wojenski hit Miller with a 37 yard touchdown pass that capped a five play, 68 yard drive.
• Fitchburg State had a chance for points at the end of the second quarter when sophomore defensive lineman Caleb Gonsalves recovered a Rams fumble on the Falcons 44 yard line. The Falcons were driving but Bartolo made his second interception of the game. This one in the end zone to stop the Falcons drive.
• The Rams extended their lead to 20-0 on their first possession of the second half on a 30 touchdown scamper from senior Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.) with 11:26 on the clock in the third.
• The Falcons got on the board with just over seven minutes remaining in the third.  The Rams had a botched snap on a punt and the ball was kicked out of the back of the end zone resulting in a penalty that gave the Falcons the ball on the Rams seven yard line.  Brown on the first play from scrimmage scored on a seven yard run and Melchior Lynch converted the extra point cutting the deficit to 20-7.
• In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, the Falcons were driving and had a fourth and inches on the Rams four yard line. The Falcons went for it on a rush by senior Sterlin Garvin and the Rams defensive line stopped Garvin short of the mark turning the ball over on downs.
• The Rams added a final score in the fourth quarter on Wojenski's third touchdown pass of the game.  Wojenski hit senior Mike Calicchio (Chelmsford, Mass.) with a 17 yard touchdown pass on a back shoulder throw.
• The Rams defense recorded their third interception of the game in the final minute of the contest as freshman Peyton Crosby (Scituate, Mass.) intercepted Brown and returned it 11 yards allowing the Rams to take a knee and end the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Wojenski completed 13-of-23 pass attempts for 155 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
• Miller finished the game with five catches for 76 yards and a pair of scores, while Wright rushed for 107 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown.
• Brown finished the game 14-of-31 for the Falcons for 83 yards with no touchdowns, three picks and was sacked twice.  Brown rushed for 37 yards on 11 carries with a score.
• Garvin rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries, while Jesse Brown had five receptions for 44 yards.
• The Rams defense was led by seven tackles, including six solo, from sophomore Anthony Behonick (Rutland, Mass.), while Bartolo finished the game with one tackles, two picks and a pass breakup.
• The Falcon defense was led by eight tackles, including six solo, from Gonsalves, while Richard Austin added seven stops.
• The Rams amassed 328 yards of total offense in the game including 173 on the ground, while the Falcons managed just 197 yards in the game including just 83 through the air.

UP NEXT:

The Rams are back at home next week on Homecoming and Family Weekend when they host Plymouth State University at noon.  The Falcons are back home on Friday night when they host Westfield State University at 7 p.m.