FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham State University football team forced five turnovers which they converted into 19 points as the Rams defeated the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26-14 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at Maple Street Field.

Entering the game both teams were 2-0 in the MASCAC and with the victory, the Rams remain unblemished in the conference at 3-0 and 4-1 overall.   The Corsairs fall to 3-2 on the year and are now 2-1 in the MASCAC.

The Rams defense held the Corsairs to 188 yards of total offense – 111 rushing and 77 passing – in addition to forcing the five turnovers.  The Rams recorded four interceptions and recovered a fumble that led to three Framingham touchdowns.

The Rams first touchdown of the game – a two yard run by senior Matt Mangano (Winchester, Mass.) – was set up by an interception from classmate Lewis Bailey (Chelmsford, Mass.).  Bailey intercepted junior Cory Burnham (Essex, Mass.) at the UMass 12 yard line and returned the ball to the nine.  Junior Jalen Green (Brockton, Mass.) scampered for seven yards on first down and Mangano followed with a two TD run. The extra point was blocked and the Rams led 6-0.

UMass Dartmouth would follow with a pair of touchdowns on their next two possession to take a 14-6 lead.  Following the Rams touchdown, UMass Dartmouth went 51 yards on 10 plays on a drive that was aided by a pair of Ram penalties on fourth downs that kept the drive rolling.  Burnham capped the drive with a nine yard touchdown pass to junior Alex Heffernan (Quincy, Mass.).  Burnham faked like he was going to run up the middle, but pulled back and loft a pass to an open Heffernan in the end zone.

Alex Ortega (Lynn, Mass.) intercepted Framingham quarterback Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) at midfield to end the Rams next possession and set up the Corsairs final score of the day. Mike Slaughter (Springfield, Mass.), Stephen Roy (Northboro, Mass.) and Eddie Sheridan (Chelmsford, Mass.) combined for 39 yards on the ground setting up Burnham for a five yard touchdown run just eight seconds into the second quarter.

The Rams second touchdown of the day was aided by a fumble recovery by Campbell Marchant (Longmeadow, Mass.) that gave them possession on the UMD 22 yard line.  Mangano capped a seven play, 22 yard drive with his second touchdown of the day. After the Corsairs stopped the Rams twice from inside the one yard line, Mangano leaped over the pile from less than a yard out and broke the plane with the ball.  Sean Wlasuk (Peabody, Mass.) converted the extra point and the Rams trailed 14-13 at the half.

The Rams took control of the game with 13 third quarter points to secure the victory.  The Rams found the end zone on their first possession of the second half. Silva raced in untouched from 18 yards out capping a 10 play drive that started back on their own three yard line.

Mangano intercepted Burnham on the Corsairs 26 yard line with just over two minutes remaining in the third. Mangano returned the ball 19 yards to the seven yard like setting up a Silva to Tevin Jones (Springfield, Mass.) touchdown in the corner of the end zone.

Sophomore Svenn Jacobson (Cumberland, ME) led the Rams defense with six tackles, including five solo.  Bailey and Mangano each finished with three tackles to go along with their picks, while sophomore Kenneth Bartolo (Malden, Mass.) and senior Tyllor McDonald (Lynn, Mass.) each recorded an interception.

Green paced the Rams offense with 186 yards rushing in the game on 35 attempts, while junior Trevon Offley (Brockton, Mass.) picked up 37 yards on the ground.  Silva completed 11 of 29 for 115 yards with a touchdown.  Senior Marcus Grant (Carver, Mass.) made three catches for 61 yards.

Burnham completed 10 of 26 for 66 yards with three picks and a touchdown for the Corsairs.  Roy and Sheridan rushed for 43 yards apiece, while Jakarrie Washington led the receiving core with five catches for 34 yards.

Senior Derek Tarpey (Tewksbury, Mass.) led the Corsair defense with 11 tackles, 10 solo, to go along with a sack.

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Thanks to Kathy Lynch, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information at Framingham State University for contributing this story. For more FSU RAMS sports info, box scores, calendar of upcoming games and sporting events, visit their website at: www.fsurams.com

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