FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Worcester State University football team got the best of the Falcons of Fitchburg State University 22-16 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action Saturday afternoon at Elliot Field.
With the win, the Lancers pick up their second straight win and move to 2-1 overall (1-0 MASCAC). The Falcons drop to 0-3 overall (0-1 MASCAC).
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, N.H.), 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) found senior wide receiver Cam Charette (Fairhaven, Mass.) in the endzone for a five-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 host's territory, and just one play later, Brum completed a 11-yard pass to tight end Jacob Maher (Marshfield, Mass.) for the touchdown. A two-point conversion pushed to lead to 14-3 Lancers.
Alternating between running backs Christopher Tamukedde (Lowell, Mass.) and junior Jacqua Solomon (Bridgeport, Conn.), 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.
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.) led the Falcons defense with 5.5 total tackles, while sophomore Melchior Lynch (Roxbury, Mass) contributed with 1.5 sacks. Worcester State's defense was led by sophomore Kyle Driscoll (Spencer, Mass.) who collected 8.5 tackles and a sack.
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 hosts Westfield State for Homecoming next Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m.