Football Hands Western Connecticut First Loss of Season 48-26

Danbury, Conn. - The Framingham State University football team led 28-0 after one quarter of play as the Rams defeated previously unbeaten Western Connecticut State University 48-26 this evening in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Westside Athletic Complex. 

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Framingham State 48, Western Connecticut 26

- Records: Framingham State (7-2, 6-1 MASCAC), Western Connecticut (8-1, 6-1 MASCAC)

- Location: Westside Athletic Complex – Danbury, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams wasted little time getting on the board as they found the end zone on the first drive of the game.  The Rams opening drive featured 11 plays to go 70 yards, including 64 on the ground, and was capped by a two yard touchdown run from junior Rufus Rushins (Lynn, Mass.).  Freshman Henrique DeBoni converted the extra point and the Rams led 7-0 with 10:33 on the clock.
• Senior Rashaun Rivers (Westfield, Mass.) blocked a punt for the Rams on Western Connecticut's first possession of the game and senior Cawin Dixon (Brockton, Mass.) returned the blocked kick 23 yards for a touchdown.  DeBoni converted the extra point and the Rams led 14-0 with 9:27 on the clock in the first.
• After the kickoff, on the first play from scrimmage freshman Ryan Quinn (Billerica, Mass.) intercepted David James and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown putting the Rams ahead 21-0 with 9:25 left in the first.
• Western Connecticut punted on their next possession, but the kick was short and the Rams took over on the Colonials 34 yard line.  Seniors Napoleon Miller (Dorchester, Mass.), Sebastien Robert (Cambridge, Mass.) and Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.) combined to rush for 33 yards on four plays before Rushins found the end zone from a yard out for his second touchdown of the game. After DeBoni's kick, the Rams led 28-0 after one.
• Western Connecticut got on the board in the opening minutes of the second quarter on a four yard touchdown run from Kyle McKinnon, but trailed 28-6 after the extra point was blocked.
• The Rams lead ballooned to 41-6 at the half with a pair of second quarter touchdowns.  Rushins found the end zone for the third time from three yards out with 4:22 on the clock and a sack-fumble by junior Joshua Smiley (Springfield, Mass.) that was recovered by Quinn at the West Conn. 22 yard line set up Rushins fourth touchdown of the game – a two yard run with 37 seconds on the clock before the half.
• The Rams had a chance to add to their lead on the Colonials' opening possession of the second half, but a penalty negated an interception return for a touchdown by senior DeSean Hart (Atlantic City, NJ).
• The Colonial defense forced the Rams to punt on the ensuing possession and the snap sailed past DeBoni's and was recovered by Western Connecticut in the end zone for a touchdown. After the kick was good, the Colonials trailed 41-13.
• Western would add a 30 yard touchdown run by McKinnon in the third quarter to cut the Rams lead to 41-19.
• Wright tallied the Rams final score of the game with 7:39 left in the fourth quarter on a 12 yard run and the Colonials added a three yard touchdown pass from James to Nick Kimball with just over four remaining to reach the final margin.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Wright finished the game rushing for 169 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, while Rushins rushed for 50 yards in the game on 12 carries with four scores.
• Junior Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) rushed for 60 yards on 12 touches, while completing seven of 13 for 56 yards.
• Smiley led the defense with seven tackles, six solo, two sacks and two forced fumbles, while Quinn finished the game with three tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown.
• Sophomore Anthony Behonick (Rutland, Mass.) chipped in with seven tackles, five solo, including one for a loss and a pass break up, while Hart finished with six tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and a pass break up.
• With one game remaining, the Rams are in control of their post-season fate as a victory in their season finale would give the Rams the MASCAC's automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Division III Football Championship.

UP NEXT:

The Rams close out the regular season at MASCAC foe Worcester State next Saturday with kickoff slated for 12 p.m.