Falcons Hold on for 26-21 Win Over Mass. Maritime

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Fitchburg State University defeated Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 26-21, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football contest on Saturday afternoon at Elliot Field. Junior wide receiver Taylor Ekstrom had two touchdowns on the day, including the game-winner at 12:13 of the fourth quarter. 

In the Falcons second drive of the contest sophomore quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie was able to connect with senior wide out Phillip Saint-Juste on third and goal for a six yard touchdown that put the hosts up 7-0 at 11:21 in the first quarter.

Massachusetts Maritime responded with a 45 yard kickoff return by Bobby Rosano to put the Buccaneers on Fitchburg State's 40 yard line to start the drive. On fourth and six senior quarterback John Trudel was able to escape the Falcon blitz and connect with classmate E.J. Bennett to even the score at 7-7 at 8:33 in the opening stanza.   

Following a 27 yard pass by Trudel to Rosano, senior defensive lineman Pedro Camilo forced a fumble and was credited with the recovery on a run attempt by freshman running back Kenny Pierce. Fitchburg State was unable to capitalize however as they were held short on a failed fourth and goal attempt. 

Both teams would go back and forth with neither creating much of an opportunity in the later stages of the second quarter, as the score remained 7-7 at halftime.

With the Buccaneers on their own 31 yard line to start of the third quarter, senior Brad Skeffington fumbled the ball and was recovered by sophomore defensive lineman Bryan Monaco.

The Falcons could not capitalize on the opportunity and were forced to punt it away, when junior Eric Anastasio punted it 33 yards and placed it in the corner on the Buccaneers three yard line. 

On the following drive for the Green and Gold, Dellechiaie found sophomore tight end Devin Summiel for a 48 yard touchdown pass to pull the hosts up 14-7 at the 7:53 mark in the third quarter. 

Midway through the third quarter Mass. Maritime quarterback Trudal connected with Rosano for a diving 41 yard catch to give the away side their first opportunity in the red zone of the second half. The four play 55 yard drive resulted in a Buccaneers touchdown with Trudel finding junior tight end Kevin Healy to even the score at 14 apiece. 

With 1:18 remaining in the third quarter, Dellechiaie found a diving Ekstrom in the endzone to cap off a five play 67 yard drive for the junior wide receivers first collegiate touchdown (20-14 FSU). 

Dellechaie would go to the air again to Ekstrom for the eventual game-winning touchdown that capped a six play 72 yard drive that gave the Falcons a 26-14 advantage minutes into the final quarter. 

Mass. Maritime responded with a six play 66 yard drive that was finished off with a 21 yard touchdown reception to junior running back David Yerxa to cut the deficit to 26-21 at the 9:21 mark of the fourth stanza.

With 1:42 remaining in the fourth the Buccaneers had one last opportunity to regain the lead as they got the ball back at their own 31 yard line after the defense forced Fitchburg State to go three and out. Senior linebacker Junior Louissaint came up with two sacks in the 11 play drive as Fitchburg State was able to hold on for a 26-21 victory. 

Dellechiaie finished going 29-42 for 314 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Summiel had 123 receiving yards for one touchdown, while junior running back Cody Titus led the Falcons on the ground with 85 yards and an average of 5.3 yards per carry. 

Trudel went 24-38 on the day for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Rosano had 123 receiving yards, while Skeffington finished with 71 rushing yards on the day.

Defensively, Loussaint finished with 12 tackles (five solo, seven assists) and two sacks and senior Talib Barksdale contributed with 10 stops (five solo, five assist) for the hosts.

Victor Andrade and Kyle Hardy led the Buccaneers with eight tackles each (six solo, two assists) in the losing effort. 

Fitchburg State will return to action next Saturday at 12:00 pm as they travel to Worcester State. Mass. Maritime will host the Colonials of Western Connecticut State on Saturday as well at noontime.