Framingham, Mass. – Junior Tevin Jones (Springfield, Mass.) caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) as the Framingham State University football team defeated Westfield State University 28-7 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at Bowditch Field.
Entering the game both the Rams and the Owls were undefeated in conference play and with the victory the Rams remain unbeaten at 4-0 in the MASCAC and improve 5-1 overall. The loss drops the Owls to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The Owls defense allowed just 28 yards of total offense last week in a victory over Plymouth State, but today the Rams amassed 378 yards of total offense including 215 yards through the air against the conference's leader in pass defense.
The Rams defense allowed 197 yards of total offense in the game including just 77 yards on the ground. In the first half, the Rams held the Owls to just 55 yards of offense forcing five punts and turning the ball over one downs once with just four first downs.
Jones led the Rams with five catches for a season-high 137 yards with three touchdowns. Jones has eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark in back-to-back weeks for the Rams. Silva finished the day completing 12-of-25 pass attempts for 215 yards. Silva tossed touchdowns of 28, 13 and 63 yards all of which were caught by Jones and did not throw a pick. Sophomore Jalen Green (Brockton, Mass.) led the Rams ground attack with 148 yards on 19 carries with a 91-yard touchdown run. Green averaged 7.8 yards a carry in the game.
Westfield State quarterback Steve Guercio (Gardner, Mass) struggled against the Rams defense completing just 12-of-37 for 117 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Senior Michael Mercadante (Wilbraham, Mass.) was held to just 68 yards rushing on 32 carries, while classmate Scotty Nye (Uxbridge, Mass.) had five catches for 29 yards and Sam Laurin (Chicopee, Mass.) caught the Owls lone touchdown.
The Rams grabbed the lead for good on the opening possession of the game as Silva led them on an eight play, 59 yard drive capped by his 28 yard toss to Jones in the end zone. The extra point was blocked giving the Rams the 6-0 lead.
The Owls had a chance to tie the score late in the first quarter after they received the ball on the Rams' 45 yard line after an extremely short punt. The Rams defense came through with a stop on fourth and two from the 23 as junior Guychard Samson (Lynn, Mass.) nearly intercepted Guercio.
Framingham State would get on the board again just before the half when Silva and Jones connected again for a 13 yard score. After Silva found Randall Kelleher (Swampscott, Mass.) in the end zone on the two point conversion, the Rams led 14-0 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, Green took a pitch from Silva and broke free in the Owls secondary racing 91-yards to the end zone extending the lead to 21-0.
The Rams defense forced a fumble by the Owls that was recovered by senior Matt Mangano (Winchester, Mass.) on the two yard line setting up their final score of the day. Silva capped the seven play, 98 yard drive hitting Jones down the sideline from 63 yards out pushing the lead to 28-0 with 12 minutes left in the game. The Owls were able to get on the board on the next possession with a 10-play, 75 yard drive that was aided by four 15 yard penalties against the Rams. Guercio capped the drive with a two yard touchdown pass to Laurin.
The Rams defense was led by a team-high nine tackles from freshman Svenn Jacobson (Cumberland, ME). Mangano racked up eight tackles, all solo, with a tackle for a loss, a fumble recovery and two pass break ups, while senior Kevin Donahue (Norfolk, Mass.) also recorded eight tackles with two break ups.
The Owls defense was led by senior Julon McCoy (Gardner, Mass.) with a game-high 11 tackles including one for a loss. Classmate Troy Cutter (Lunenburg, Mass) chipped in with nine tackles, while Jonathan Lytle (Wallingford, Conn.) recorded the Owls lone sack in the game.
The Rams enjoy their bye next weekend before heading on the road to Plymouth State for their next game on October 25th with kickoff at 12 p.m., while Owls travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy next Saturday for a MASCAC tilt beginning at 12 p.m.