FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham State University football team received a rushing touchdown and two passing touchdowns from junior Nicolas Goffredo (Hyde Park, MA) as the Rams rushed into the win column with a 45-21 victory over UMass Dartmouth this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Bowditch Field.

UMass Dartmouth won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. They took advantage with a five play, 70 yard drive capped by a 57-yard touchdown from Aviles-Santos to Machado to take a 7-0 lead after the extra point.

The Rams got on the board with just under four minutes remaining in the quarter. Ashley forced a fumble that was recovered and returned 42 yards for a touchdown by sophomore Cole Moretti (Lynnfield, MA). Matt Farley (Middleboro, MA) converted the extra point and the game was tied at 7-7.

The Rams were the beneficiary of a short punt and took over on the Corsair 23-yard line to start their next possession. Six plays later Goffredo connected with Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown and the 14-7 lead with six seconds left in the quarter.

McBean extended the lead with 21-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that was set up by a long completion from Goffredo to Nichols and Farley converted a 23- yard field goal giving the Rams a 24-7 lead at the half.

The Rams tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter pushing the lead to 38-7. Goffredo connected with Nichols for a 15-yard touchdown and Ford scampered in from three yards out.

UMass Dartmouth used a little trickery to start the fourth quarter as Ellis completed a 20-yard touchdown to Gonzalez just 12 seconds into the frame.

The Rams answered with a 22-yard touchdown run from Goffredo before the Corsairs received a 3-yard touchdown run from Marvens Jean to reach the final margin.

For his efforts, Goffredo received the 2021 Calder Award after the game which is given annually to the MVP of the Homecoming Day game in memory of former Ram John Calder. Goffredo completed 14-of-26 for 166 yards with a pair of scores, while rushing for 82 yards on seven carries with another touchdown.· Sophomore Devaun Ford (Mashpee, MA) rushed for 70 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown, while senior Marcus McBean Jr. rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries and also scored once.

Sophomore EJ Nichols (Burlington Township, NJ) was the Rams leading receiver making eight catches for 107 yards with a touchdown. Freshman Kareem Coleman (Methuen, MA) caught his first collegiate touchdown in the game.

The Rams amassed 439 yards of total offense in the game including 273 yards rushing, while the Corsairs managed 299 yards of offense with just 84 yards on the ground.

The Rams defense was led by eight tackles including seven solo from senior Joshua Onujiogu (Wareham, MA), while junior Nick Ashley (Worcester, MA) added four including a sack, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

The Rams defense recorded three sacks on the day, forced a pair of fumbles and recorded an interception by freshman Tishay Johnson Jr (Windsor, Conn.).

Dante Aviles-Santos completed 11-of-30 for the Corsairs for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Diondre Ellis completed one pass for the Corsairs which resulted in a 20-yard touchdown.

Douglas Machado and Antonio Brown were the leading receivers with two catches apiece for 67 and 62 yards respectively. Luis Gonzalez had one catch in the game and was on the receiving end of Ellis’ touchdown strike.

The Corsair defense was led by nine tackles from Marcus Elysee, while Sean Reall added eight including one for a loss with a fumble recovery.

The Rams are back in action next Saturday Sept. 25, 2021 when they host Westfield State at noon at Bowditch Field.

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Thanks to Kathy Lynch, Assistant Director, Athletics / Sports Information, Framingham State University for contributing this story.