Framingham State Rallies Past Fitchburg State, 34-21

Wrice-Brooks, Almore and Lastra register TD's for Falcons in MASCAC opener 

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University football team was in action this afternoon, dropping a 34-21 decision to  the Rams of Framingham State in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Bowditch Field in the conference opener for both schools.

Framingham State opened the scoring with 13:15 remaining in the opening quarter when freshman Napoleon Miller returned a punt 53 yards to the house to make the score 6-0 following a blocked PAT attempt by the Falcons.

The Green and Gold quickly answered on its next possession, taking a one point lead (7-6) with 10:10 left in the frame, as junior tailback Taylor Wrice-Brooks plunged in from two yards out, capping a seven play, 76 yard drive.

Following a bad snap off a punt attempt, Fitchburg State capitalized on good field possession when junior Jordan Almore polished off a seven play, 37 yard drive with a three yard touchdown run up the middle for the 14-6 advantage.

The Rams counter in the final minute of the first quarter as senior quarterback Matthew Silvia completed a nine play drive with a 13 yard touchdown pass to sophomore Tevin Jones in the corner of the end zone to the cut the deficit to one (14-13) after one quarter of play.

The score would remain 14-13 until Silva orchestrated a seven play, 73 yard drive, finding junior wide out Travis Hayes in the back of the end zone for a 13 yard touchdown reception with 4:58 left in the first half as the Rams took a 20-14 lead into intermission.

Following the break, Framingham State upped its margin early in the third stanza when Silva connected with Jones from eight yards out for Jones's second TD reception on the afternoon for the 27-14 lead.

Following Silva's fourth TD pass of the contest to make the score 34-14, the Falcons capped the scoring with 7:07 left in the game as junior signal caller Garrett Dellechiaie connected with sophomore Jesse Lastra for a 14 yard TD, resulting in the 34-21 final.

Fitchburg State totaled 445 yards of offense on 86 plays, while the Rams finished 280 yards of total offense.

The Falcons were led offensively by Dellechiaie, throwing for 340 yards on 27-for-40 passes and one TD, while junior Devin Summiel and Lastra combined for 14 catches for 205 yards and a touchdown

Silva led the way for Framingham State's offense, completing 17-of-27 attempts for 147 yards and four touchdowns, while senior Marcus Grant and Jones combined for 12 receptions, 99 yards and three TD's.

Defensively for the Rams, sophomore linebacker Stephen Beahn totaled a game-best 16 tackles (13 solo, 3 assists) to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss and forced fumble, while junior Svenn Jacobson added 11 stops, including six solo tackles, a sack and one fumble forced.

For Fitchburg State, senior defensive tackle Pedro Camilo finished with a team-leading eight tackles (seven solo, one assist), while classmate Luis Feliz added six stops, including four solo tackles, one pass defended and a blocked kick.

Fitchburg State (2-1, 0-1 MASCAC) continue with their conference schedule next Saturday as they host the Bears of Bridgewater State at 12 p.m.. Framingham State (2-1, 1-0 MASCAC) will host UMass Dartmouth next Saturday for a contest starting at 12 p.m.

Follow the Falcons on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!