Falcons Downed by Spartans, 34-13

Jacqua Solomon rushed for 175 yards, touchdown

 Fitchburg, Mass.– The Fitchburg State University football team fell to the Spartans of Castleton University, 34-13 in non-conference action at Elliot field on Saturday afternoon.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 13 | Castleton 34

Records: Fitchburg State (0-2) | Castleton (1-1)

How It Happened 

Castleton opened the scoring with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter. After a defensive interception returned 12-yards to the Fitchburg State 35-yard line from senior linebacker Grant Cummings (Colchester, Vt.), senior quarterback Mitchell Caron (Augusta, Maine) scampered one yard for the early 6-0 lead.

The Falcons evened the score 6-6 with 39 seconds remaining in the first frame, when running back Jacqua Solomon (Bridgeport, Conn.) broke free up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown. However, the Spartans regained the lead as time expired in the quarter as sophomore running back Matthew Hesford (Colchester, Vt.) hauled in a 65-yard pass from Caron to make the score 12-6 at the end of one.

Fitchburg State took the lead 13-12 midway through the second quarter as freshman quarterback Brandon Brown (Lake Mary, Fla.) rumbled in from 9 yards out, before the Spartans took the lead for good with a Moe Harris (Pine Hill, NJ) 4-yard TD run for a 20-13 lead heading into intermission.

The Spartans added a pair of touchdowns in the second half to extend the lead. With the Green and Gold in the red zone, sophomore defensive lineman Chris Rice (Bethel, Conn.) intercepted a tipped ball at the line and returned it 80 yards for the touchdown. A 17-yard touchdown reception for wide receiver Damon Burgess (Bennington, Vt.)  secured the 34-13 final.

Inside the Numbers

Third meeting between the two schools on the gridiron with the Falcons currently 2-0 all-time when taking on the Spartans.

Fitchburg State has won the first two contests against Castleton University, including a 31-10 decision last season at Spartan Stadium.

Brandon Brown led the Falcons offense going 11-for-23 for 138 passing yards while running for 110 yards and a touchdown. Solomon finished the day with 175 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side Caleb Gonsalves (Mashpee, Mass.) had a team best 7.5 total tackles.

Punter Bryce Santos (Pelham, NH) averaged 37.0 yards on four punts.

Castleton was led by quarterback Caron who finished 12-for-26 for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jared Brockway (Framingham, Mass.) had three catches for 80 yards.

Chris Rice paced the Spartan defense with 10 total tackles (8 solo, 4 assisted), one sack and a 80-yard touchdown interception.

Up Next

The Falcons host Worcester State next Saturday at 2:00pm to open up conference play, while Castleton travels to Norwich for a 2:00pm kickoff.