Fitchburg, MA --- Fitchburg State freshman Garrett Dellechiaie's (Leominster, MA) effort of 375 passing yards and four touchdowns, the Falcons rolled to a 37-7 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC football action this afternoon at Elliot Field.
With the win FSU improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the MASCAC while the Lancers fall to 3-2 and 1-2 in league play. Fitchburg State earns the first points in the coveted Sterling Cup rivalry.
Dellchiaie was 28-for-38 with no interceptions as the Falcons amassed 534 yards of total offense on the afternoon and dominated time of posession in the contest (40:11).
Junior Ty Spencer (Foxboro, MA) and freshman Taylor Wrice (Malden, MA) also had solid performances, combining for 21 catches and 260 yards on the day. Spencer ignited the Falcons with ten catches, 149 yards and two scores, while Wrice finished with 11 receptions and 111 yards.
Sophomore Mike Delaney (Marion, MA) led all Falcon rushers with 112 yards, one rushing touchdown and one receiving TD.
Offensively, Worcester State received a strong effort from junior Dana Valentine (Roxbury, MA), who finished just one yard shy of the century mark. Third-year Casey Hippert (Douglas, MA) was also solid with five catches, 73 yards and one score, while third-year quarterback Kevin Bumpus (Bridgewater, MA) finished 14-of-35 with 146 yards passing, one touchdown.
Fitchburg State opened the game with a 14-0 lead behind a pair of Spencer (26 yards - 46 yards) touchdowns, but Worcester State closed the gap with a 16-yard TD catch by Hippert at the 8:51 mark of the first quarter.
Both teams continued to battle of the first and second quarters, trading field position until Fitchburg State closed the half with a nine yard TD reception by junior Phillip Saint-Juste (New Rochelle, NY). Dellechiaie connected with Saint-Juste in the far corner of the end zone to give the Falcons a 20-7 cushion heading into the break.
In the second half it was all Fitchburg State led by the play of Delaney. Delaney cashed in with his first touchdown of the day - a 32-yard scoring burst at the 9:05 mark of the third - before sealing the victory with a receiving TD, a 39 yard pass from Dellechiaie.
Freshman Christopher Ludwig (Fort Myers, MA) capped the games scoring with 4:39 remaining as he connected on a 24-yard field goal.
On the defensive side, the Falcons used a balanced attack, limiting the Lancers to just 232 yards of offense.
Junior Elizear Torres (Bronx, NY) and freshman David Dezeme (Fort Myers, FL) led the Falcons with five stops and four tackles, respectively, while third-year Talib Barksdale (Hudson, NY) and sophomore Taron Seaforth (Lynn, MA) both registered interceptions.
For the Lancers, junior Mike Dance (Rocky Hil, CT) and senior Adam Straughn (Rockland, MA) both recorded 10 tackles apiece while third-year Mike Goulden (Rehoboth, MA) tallied seven solo stops including two tackles for a loss.
Senior Nick Doria (Watertown, MA) distinguished himself for the Blue and Gold with seven tackles (three solo), a trio of tackles for a loss and one pass break-up.
Junior Alex Blakeslee (Shrewsbury, MA) also had three punts for 42 yards on the afternoon.
Both squads continue MASCAC play on the road next Saturday. Worcester State heads to UMass Dartmouth while Fitchburg State travels to Western Connecticut for a 5 o'clock matchup.
Major Portions of Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information
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