Framingham, MA --- Framingham State junior Matt Silva (Dracut, MA) accounted for four touchdowns – including 201 yards and three passing scores – as the Rams defeated Worcester State, 29-14, in MASCAC football action this afternoon at the Maple Street Field.
Framingham State improves to 9-1 overall and finishes the year 8-0 in conference play as the Rams await word on a possible NCAA Division III Tournament berth. The Lancers fall to 7-3 (5-3 MASCAC) and will await the call to see if they were selected for an ECAC Bowl bid.
Pacing the Blue and Gold offensively was junior Kemani Jones (Milton, MA) who went over the century mark for the eighth time this season with 104 yards as he eclipsed the single-season rushing record with 1,275 yards that had been held by former standout Marcus Price (2011).
Senior Pat Viencek (Bernardston, MA) also had 138 yards passing and junior Arron Witkus (Chelmsford, MA) hauled in six receptions for 34 yards.
Sophomore Jalen Green (Brockton, MA/Quincy) had a fine day on the ground for the Rams with 103 yards rushing on 27 rushes.
With the Lancers on nursing the 14-10 advantage midway through the third quarter, the Rams took advantage of three miscues and scored 19 unanswered points to take control of the contest and earn the victory.
FSU started their outburst by picking off freshman Noah Brum (Honolulu, HI) at the Worcester State 39 yard-line before Silva gave the hosts the 17-14 lead just seconds into the fourth quarter on an 11 yard pass to junior Sean Gauthier (Dracut, MA).
The hosts were also aided by a key pass interference penalty on third-down by the Lancers, who entered the contest top ten in Division III in opponent third-down conversion percentage.
Three plays into their next drive, the Rams had another short field to work with as Brum was stripped of the ball and sophomore Connor Doran (S. Hadley, MA) came up with the ball. Silva again made the visitors pay on a 15 yard flick to junior Marcus Grant (Carver, MA) to go up 23-14 at the 12:14 mark.
With five minutes left in the period, the Lancers were picked off a third time in the stanza as the Rams took over at midfield. Silva then capped off the series with a 30-yard pass to senior Randall Kelliher (Swampscott, MA) to put FSC up by 15.
The Lancers made one last ditch attempt to get back into the game with 2:20 on the clock, but turned the ball over on downs deep inside Framingham State territory.
Worcester State opened the contest with the early 7-0 advantage midway through the first quarter on an eight-yard touchdown hook-up between senior Casey Hippert (Douglas, MA) and Viencek.
With the Rams in prime position, starting on the WSU 30, the Blue and Gold defense had up a goal-line stand and limited the damage to a 20-yard field goal by freshman Colby Wlasuk (Peabody, MA).
Framingham State then forced the Lancers to punt five times in the second quarter and took over the 10-7 edge at the intermission as Silva found the end-zone on an 11-yard scamper with 17 ticks remaining in the second quarter.
Neither team scored again until senior Sean Hanley (Wilmington, MA) forced a fumble on special team's midway through the third. The Lancers followed up the turnover by taking over the 14-10 margin on a three-yard pass from Brum to senior Dana Barry (Hudson, MA).
Senior Bryan Narcisse (Medway, MA) propelled the visitors defensively with 11 tackles (nine solo), which comprised of three for a loss and one sack. Senior Teddy Ferreira (Mansfield, MA) registered eight stops, five of which were unassisted, and one TFL.
Hanley forced one fumble and freshman Aurian Dawkins (Mansfield, MA) added an interception.
FSU senior Kevin Donohue (Norfolk, MA) notched 11 tackles (nine solo) to pace the hosts and classmate Olajuwan Dickerson (Milton, MA) distinguished himself with four TFLs for 16 yards and one sack.
The Rams defense also forced five turnovers in the contest on three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while also leading in total offense (357-201) and first downs (21-15).