Falcons Fall to Rams in MASCAC action, 32-16

Crawford and Frazier each with inteception

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University football team dropped a 32-16 decision to the Rams of Framingham State University on Friday evening in Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Elliot Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State University 16, Framingham State University 32
Records: Fitchburg State (3-3, 2-2 MASCAC) | Framingham State (5-0, 3-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

First Quarter

The Rams hit the endzone first, capitalizing after senior Jaquan Harris (Boston, Mass.) intercepted quarterback Nelson Valerio (Lawrence, Mass.) for a 19 yard return to the Fitchburg 46 yard line. Four plays later junior Quron Wright (Worcester, Mass.)  scampered six yards for the 6-0 score. Wright would add a second touchdown with a 16-yard run on the Rams' next possession en route to a 13-0 lead after the first frame.

Second Quarter

Fitchburg State answered in the second quarter when Valerio found senior Devin Summiel (Tewksbury, Mass.) on a crossing route deep in the endzone, a good extra point by Geoffrey Reichert (Northbridge, Mass.)  made the score 13-7.

Framingham outscored the Falcons 16-0 the rest of the quarter. A pair of touchdowns and a safety pushed the Rams lead to 29-7 going into the intermission. Zakery Walker (Ayer, Mass.) scored on a quarterback sneak and hit Nasir Thomas for a 38-yard touchdown to pace the visitors.

Third Quarter

The Falcons scored the only points of the quarter. After back-to-back interceptions by the two teams, the hosts put together the best drive of the night going 71 yards on 11 plays, capped by a 9-yard Antonelli to Summiel scoring strike. The Falcon defense caused a Rams safety to cut the lead to 29-16 after three.

Fourth Quarter

Freshman Ryan Clifford (Brockton, Mass.) hit a 36-yard field goal with three minutes remaining for the 32-16 final.

Inside the Numbers

Ram's Jaquan Harris finished the game with 5 interceptions, tying an NCAA record across all divisions.

Junior James Antonelli (Westford, Mass) relieved Valerio in the second quarter, he was 15-for-36 for 144 yards, two touchdown and four interception. His counterpart Walker was 7-for-15 for 142 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown.

Wright led the Rams running game with 148 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns.

Jevon Brown-Simpson (Lynn, Mass.) paced the Falcons ground game with 29 yards on 11 carries.

Devon Summiel had six receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns.  He is now 12 catches away from the Fitchburg State All-Time career receptions title.

The Bednarz brothers combine for 15 total tackles and a sack. Junior Anthony Bednarz (Middletown, Conn.) led the Falcons defense with eight total tackles, while David Bednarz (Milldetown, Conn.) contributed seven tackles and a sack.

Sophomore Malik Crawford (Yonkers, NY) and senior Marquise Frazier (Providence, RI) each had a pick on defense for the Falcons.

33rd meeting between two schools on the grid iron with the Falcons 11-22 when taking on the Rams.

Framingham State has won the last nine meeting against Fitchburg State with the Falcons last defeating the Rams on Sept. 27, 2008 (41-34).

 Up Next

 Both teams return to action next Saturday at 1:00 PM, the Falcons travel to Westfield State, while Framingham travels to Plymouth State.