Falcons Fall to Lancers in MASCAC match-up

Solomon rushes for 233 yards, 2 touchdowns in conference setback

Fitchburg, Mass.  – The Fitchburg State University football team fell to the Lancers of Worcester State University, 22-16 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at Elliot Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 16, Worcester State 22
Records: Fitchburg State (0-3, 0-1 MASCAC) | Worcester State (2-1, 1-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened
The Falcons grabbed a 3-0 lead  with 2:06 on the clock in the first quarter of the  contest on a  26-yard field goal by sophomore Bryce Santos (Pelham, NH/Merrimack College) culminating a 10 play drive that started at the Green and Gold's one-yard line.

The Lancers crossed the goal line in the second quarter after Fitchburg State muffed a punt at their own seven-yard line. After rolling out of the pocket, senior quarterback Noah Brum (Honolulu, Hawaii/Kanani) found senior wide receiver Cam Charette (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) in the endzone for a 5-yard touchdown. However, the extra point went wide and the visitors held a 6-3 advantage heading into the intermission.

Early in the second half Worcester State's defense recovered a Fitchburg fumble deep in the hosts territory, just one play later Brum completed a 11-yard completion to tight end Jacob Maher (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) and a two-point conversion pushed to lead to 14-3 Lancers.

Alternating between running backs Chris Tamukedde (Lowell, Mass./Middlesex CC) and junior Jacqua Solomon (Bridgeport, CT/Bullard Havens), the Falcons answered with a 13 play, 67-yard scoring drive finished off with a 10-yard scamper up the middle from Solomon to cut the deficit to 14-10.

The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the 22-16 final.

Inside the Numbers

Solomon led Fitchburg with a game-high 233 yard on the ground and 2 touchdowns.

Fitchburg State University held the advantage in total yards (390-196) and rushing yards (325-62).

Brum led Worcester State with three touchdowns on 13-for-25 passing with one interception.

Senior defensive back Jared Citizen (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Tech) led the Falcons defense with 5.5 total tackles, while sophomore Melchior Lynch (Roxbury, Mass/New Mission) contributed with 1.5 sacks.

Worcester State's defense was led by sophomore Kyle Driscoll (Spencer, Mass./David Prouty) who collected 8.5 tackles and a sack.

34th meeting between the two teams on the gridiron with the Falcons currently 8-26-0 all-time when taking on the Lancers.

Fitchburg State has won three of the last five contests against the Lancers with Worcester earning a 42-26 victory last season at Coughlin Stadium.

Up Next

The Falcons will travel to the Bears of Bridgewater State on Friday evening for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 7 p.m. Worcester host Westfield State next Saturday for a conference bout starting at 1:30 p.m.