Fitchburg State Battles Past Coast Guard, 37-34 (2OT)

Falcons collect fourth victory of the season with dramatic, come from behind win

NEW LONDON, Conn. (October 10, 2009) - Juniors Carlos De La Rosa (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) and Jordan Cannava (Woburn, Mass./Melrose) connected for the game-winning 28 yard TD reception in double overtime to defeat Coast Guard Academy, 37-34 in NEFC action this afternoon.

The Falcons registered their second consecutive victory over the Bears in dramatic fashion, overcoming an eight point deficit with 0:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. Trailing 24-16 at the 5:32 mark, Fitchburg State forced a quick four down stop and rallied back with a 13 play, 75 yard drive. Senior Devon Jennings (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) capped the game-tying drive with a two-yard reception, while senior Steve Austin (Jupiter, Fla./Stony Brook) followed with a  two point conversion to knot the score at 24-24.

On the ensuring kick-off, Coast Guard needed just three plays, bringing the ball down to the Falcons 29 yard line. The Bears lined up for a potential, 46-yard game-winning field goal, but the kick sailed wide right to force an overtime period

Fitchburg State came out gunning in the extra frame, taking just three plays to find the end zone on a Cannava TD run, but Coast Guard matched the Falcons' efforts with a Jesse Carr (Milan, Mich./Milan) TD pass to Eric Gerken (Tampa, Fla./Tamp), forcing another OT period.

In the second overtime period, Coast Guard continued to move the ball, brining it down to the Fitchburg State, three-yard line. The Falcons stood strong however, holding the Bears to a 25-yard FG. On Fitchburg State's next possession, the Falcons were face with a quick third and thirteen situation and forced to pass. Cannava then dropped back in the pocket, hitting De La Rosa in stride for the 28 yard game-winning reception.

Cannava led the Fitchburg State offense, tossing for a season-high 307 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-50 passing. The junior quarterback also added a touchdown on the ground, totaling four TDs on the day. Austin controlled the Falcons running game, totaling 71 yards on 17 carriers, while De La Rosa and Jennings combined for 270 yards receiving and three scores.

The Falcons were solid defensively all day, holding Coast Guard scoreless in two-of-the-four quarter. Senior Dale Whittredge (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) paced the Falcons, totaling a team-best ten tackles (nine solo, one assist) and a game-breaking fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter. Junior Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) was also solid on posting nine solo tackles and one sack, while freshman Nate Krikorian (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) notched an interception.    

Fitchburg State (4-2, 2-1 NEFC) will be back in action next Saturday as it travels to Worcester State College at 12 p.m. Coast Guard (2-3, 2-1 NEFC) will host Bridgewater State next Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 37, Coast Guard 34

Scoring:
First Quarter: CGA: Cale Cooper (18yd pass), 11:00; FIT: Devon Jennings (40yd pass), 8:53; CGA: Steve Arguelles (4yd run), 6:02;
Second Quarter: FIT: Darren Wilson (2yd run), 14:48;
Third Quarter: CGA: Eric Gerken (25yd pass), 9:04; CGA: J. Shackleford (26yd FG), 4:32; FIT: Evan Georgopoulos (22yd FG), 1:48;
 Fourth Quarter: FIT: Jennings (2yd pass), 00:28;
OT: FIT: Jordan Cannava (2yd run); CGA: Eric Gerken (5yd pass);
2OT: CGA: Shackleford (25yd FG); FIT: De La Rosa (28yd pass);