Falcons Clipped By Owls, 33-21

Summiel finishes with seven catches for 80 yards and two TD's

Westfield, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Football team suffered a tough 33-21 setback to the Owls of Westfield State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Alumni Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 21, Westfield State 33

Records: Fitchburg State (3-4, 2-3 MASCAC) | Westfield State (2-5, 2-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Following a one-yard TD run by junior tailback Travon Holder (Hartford, Conn.) that gave Westfield State a 7-0 lead. Fitchburg State knotted the score (7-7) as senior tight end Devin Summiel (Tewksbury, Mass.) hauled in a four-yard pass from junior James Antonelli (Westford, Mass.).

Trailing 14-7, the Falcons retied the contest late in the first quarter when senior running back Jevon Brown-Simpson (Lynn, Mass.) plunged into the end zone from six yards out to make the score 14-14.

In the second quarter, the Owls took a 27-13 lead into the locker room as sophomore quarterback Jake Cassidy (Lynn, Mass.) found classmate Bailey Raymond (Ansonia, Conn.) from nine yards out before freshman Tyler Bevan (Enfield, Conn.) pulled down a 12-yard pass from Cassidy.

After the break, the Green and Gold cut into the deficit (27-21) with just five seconds left in the third frame when Summiel corralled a 31-yard touchdown reception from Antonelli. Westfield State put the game out reach in the fourth quarter however, as Holder struck for his second rushing TD of the contest, this one from one-yard out, resulting in the 33-21 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the 33rd meeting between the two schools on the gridiron with the Falcons 10-23-0 when taking on the Owls.

Fitchburg State has won three of last five meeting against Westfield State.

The Falcons ground game was paced by Brown-Simpson, who ran for 106 yards on 19 carries with one TD.

Antonelli finished the contest 10-of-23 for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Summiel and senior Jesse Lastra (Fort Myers, Fla.) combined to haul in ten passes for 141 yards and two TD's.

Defensively, sophomore defensive lineman David Bednarz (Middletown, Conn.) led the way for the Falcons with a game-best eight tackles and one sack, while junior defensive back Jovon White (Meriden, Conn.) added eight stops for the Green and Gold.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday, October 28th as it travels to Western Connecticut State to take on the Colonials for a contest starting at 12 p.m. Owls will visit Framingham State next Saturday for a 12 p.m. kickoff.