Football Topped By Bulldogs In 2023 Season Opener

Marchitelli and Fatoke collect first collegiate TD's for Green and Gold

Franklin, Mass. – The Fitchburg State football team opened their 2023 campaign this afternoon, dropping a 33-17 decision to the Bulldogs of Dean College in non-conference action from Lippert Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 17, Dean 33

Records: Fitchburg State (0-1, 0-0 MASCAC) | Dean (1-0, 0-0 ECFC)

How It Happened

Dean opened the scoring with 11:38 remaining in the first quarter as sophomore Fontabian Donalson Jr. (San Antonio, TX) notched a one-yard touchdown run, capping a four play, 31 yard drive for the 6-0 lead. Fitchburg State responded as sophomore wideout Sahir Gomez (Whittier, CA) hauled in a 25 yard pass from freshman quarterback Rocky Marchitelli (Gunnison, CO), finishing off an eight-play, 35 yard drive to give the Falcons a 7-6 edge.

The Bulldogs regained the lead midway through the second frame with newcomer James Day (Hamilton, MA) run it in from seven yards out for the 13-7 advantage. The Green and Gold reduced the lead to 13-10 going into the break when first-year place kicker Jonah Costa (East Providence, RI) converted a 25-yard field goal.

Following the intermission, Dean upped the lead to 19-10 with senior signal caller Nathan Cisco (Franklin, TN) finding freshman receiver Dy-riece Smith (Boston, MA) from 20 yards out, polishing off a six play, 36 yard drive.

The hosts extended the lead to 33-10 early in fourth stanza when junior defensive lineman Joe Penton (Manassas Park, VA) returned a fumble seven yards for a score before Fitchburg State capped the scoring with just over five minutes left in the contest as freshman Oriowokite Fatoke (Worcester, MA) plunged in from one yard out for his first collegiate touchdown, resulting in the 33-17 final.

Inside the Numbers

• This afternoon's contest marked the third meeting between the two teams on the gridiron with the Falcons 1-2 all-time when taking on the Bulldogs
• Fitchburg Stat was led by Marchitelli, who finished 17-of-38 with 192 yards and one TD
• Defensively, junior Cameron Monette (Winchendon, MA) totaled eight tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted) as well as one sack, six TFL's and one blocked kick
• Dean was paced by Cisco, who completed 14-of-26 passes for 190 yards and a pair of TD's
• Defensively, freshman Kevin Smith Jr (Liberty City, Fla.) collected a game-best 11 tackles (3 solo, 8 assisted) to go along with 0.5 sacks and one pass defended
• Rocky Marchitelli threw for his first collegiate TD for the Green and Gold
• Oriowokite Fatoke  registered his first career touchdown run for the Falcons

Up Next

Fitchburg State returns to action next Saturday as they host the Spartans of Castleton in non-conference action, starting at 3:00 PM.

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