UMass Dartmouth Rallies Past Fitchburg State, 37-36

Dellechiaie sets new Fitchburg State career passing TD mark with 46th career TD pass

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – UMass Dartmouth edged Fitchburg State 37-36 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football action this afternoon at Cressy Field as sophomore quarterback Trent Barneys connected with senior Jake Scott for a 31-yard touchdown reception with just 38 seconds remaining in the contest.

Facing a 13-point deficit with less than four minutes, 24 seconds remaining in regulation, freshman Matt Cronin sparked the dramatic comeback victory with a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to bridge the gap to 36-30. 

The UMass Dartmouth defense provided the hosts the opportunity to pull out the win by forcing the Falcons to punt deep in their own territory and burn only three minutes off the clock.  A short Fitchburg State punt set the Corsairs up in plus territory at the Falcons' 42. 

Barneys, making his second relief stint of the afternoon, scrambled 11 yards on the first play from scrimmage to the visitors 31.  Following an incompletion, Barneys utilized his legs to elude the Falcon rush as he rolled out to his left and delivered the decisive strike to the left corner of the end zone.

Both teams converted on their first offensive possessions of the contest.  Sophomore tight end Devin Summiel was able to shake a Corsair defender and raced 61 yards to pay dirt, staking the visitors to an early 7-0 lead.

UMass Dartmouth responded on the ensuing possession, marching 64 yards on eight plays.  Freshman Cory Burnham connected with sophomore Kevin Wadsworth  for a 19-yard strike to forge the 7-all tie.

Freshman JD Niles took an inside handoff and broke through the visitors defense for a 13 yard touchdown completing a six play, 76 yard drive taking the outright 13-7 lead after a botched point after attempt by the hosts.

The Corsair defense set up the next scoring opportunity after forcing a three-and -out that finished with a 24 yard field goal try that was converted by sophomore place kicker Steve Trask, inflating the lead to 16-7 to start the second quarter.

The visitors pulled within two points (16-14) on the ensuing drive, capping off a nine play, 42 yard drive on a three yard scamper by Falcon junior ball carrier Cody Titus to finish off the second half.

It was a very quiet third quarter offensively with only one score deposited, converted by the Corsairs with 5:31 before the final stanza.  It only took five plays for the hosts to get into the end zone, finalized on a nine yard rushing touchdown by sophomore Stephen Roy to cushion the advantage leading 23-14. 

Just when Dartmouth got comfortable with their lead, the visitors poured in 22 points through eight minutes to start the third quarter.

With 11:51 left in the fourth, Fitchburg State junior wide out Taylor Ekstrom hauled in a 20 yard pass from sophomore quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie, cutting the host lead to 23-21.

UMass Dartmouth would relinquish the advantage giving up two consecutive touchdown catches, one from 11 yards and the other from 30 out, by Falcon wide out Summiel from Dellechiaie, to pull ahead with 4:24 left in the game leading 36-23.

Just when it looked like the hosts were outdone, Cronin would put them right back in the contest with a 76 yard kick-off return to pull within six points (36-30) with just over four minutes remaining. 

After UMass Dartmouth forced a punt, Barneys would work his magic connecting on a 31 yard pass with Scott for the 37-36 lead and eventually the victory, good for their fourth of the year to end the season.

Statistically, the Corsairs were led under center by Burnham going 12-23, good for 124 yards and one touchdown strike; he was also intercepted twice and sacked three times.

Barneys cleaned up at the end of the contest, going 4-7 for 51 yards and the game winning touchdown throw.  On the ground, the hosts were led by Roy with 11 carries for 66 yards and a score, while fellow rusher Niles had 13 carries for 56 yards and a TD scamper.

Through the air, Dartmouth was led by senior wide receiver Abiola Aborishade with 11 catches for 100 yards.  Scott and Wadsworth hauled in one touchdown catch each in the victory.

Defensively, the Corsairs saw an incredible personal performance from senior safety Cody Merritt, with six solo tackles, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and an interception in his final contest in collegiate football. 

For Fitchburg State, Dellechiaie had a very strong outing, going 27-49 with four touchdown throws, good for 336 yards through the air, while also adding 28 rushing yards. Three of the four TD passes from Dellechiaie were hauled in by Summiel, who led Fitchburg State through the air with 11 catches for 191 yards. On the defensive side, junior linebacker Luis Feliz finished with a game-high nine solo tackles and a forced fumble.

Fitchburg State (5-4, 3-4 MASCAC) returns to action next Saturday as they visit the Panthers of Plymouth State at 12 p.m. UMass Dartmouth concludes the 2014 campaign with an overall record of 4-6 and a 3-5 clip in conference play.

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