Worcester State Rolls to 42-26 Victory Over Fitchburg State in MASCAC Opener

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University football team took advantage of turnovers and pulled off a 42-26 victory over the visiting Fitchburg State Falcons in opening Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
September 16, 2017
John F. Coughlin Memorial Field
Score: Worcester State 42, Fitchburg State 26
Records: Worcester State (2-1, 1-0 MASCAC) | Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-1 MASCAC)

1^st QUARTER
After recovering a fumble by the Falcons, Noah Brum (Honolulu, H.I.) led an 8-play, 91-yard drive for the first score of the game.  Brum completed the drive with a 10-yard pass to Dan Orlando (Westborough, MA).  Brum finished the drive 6-of-6 for 70 yards.

Fitchburg State quickly answered with a touchdown of their own, as quarterback Nelson Valerio (Lawrence, Mass.)  found Devin Summiel (Tewksbury, Mass.) on an 8-yard pass to finish off a 68-yard drive.

After a 44-yard punt to the Fitchburg 2-yard line, the Lancer defense took advantage and Mike Quinn (Sutton, Mass.) tackled Fitchburg State running back, Jevon Brown-Simpson (Lynn, MA), in the end zone resulting in a safety. On the ensuing drive for Worcester State, Brum completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Maher (Marshfield, Mass.), resulting in a 16-7 gain for the Lancers going into the second.

2^nd QUARTER

Fitchburg State got back on the board as Vaelrio connected with Herbert Acosta (Los Angeles, Calif.) for a 26-yard touchdown mid-way through the second quarter.

After a field goal kick by Noah Hwang (Brooklyn, N.Y.) put the Lancers up 19-13 Valerio came onto the field and threw his second interception of the day. Following the turnover, Worcester State marched down the field on a 43-yard drive capped off by Brum's 1-yard rushing touchdown.

Another interception on the ensuing possession for the Falcons was returned 10-yards by Gaston Pastorino (Fitchburg, Mass.) for a Lancer touchdown. The half ended with the score Lancers 32, Falcons 13.

3^rd QUARTER

After another turnover by the Falcons, the Lancers were able to capitalize by scoring a field goal off the foot of Hwang from 35-yards out, putting Worcester State ahead 35-13.

Brum was intercepted by Adalberto Alamo (Kissimmee, Fla.) at the Fitchburg 39 -yard line, the ball was then returned to the Worcester State 38-yard line. Brown-Simpson was then able to run into the end zone on a 13-yard rush to make the score Worcester State 35, Fitchburg State 20.

4th QUARTER

Orlando finished the opening drive of the quarter with a 15-yard reception from Brum. This capped off a 5-play, 40-yard drive to put the Lancers ahead 42-20.

The scoring concluded with a blocked punt taken back by Mory Keita (Pawtucket, R.I.) into the end zone.  Fitchburg State then proceeded to attempt a 2-point conversion which failed, resulting in the final score of 42-26.

DOWN FOR THE COUNT

• For Worcester State, Brum completed 19-of-34 passes (.559) for a total of 261 yards and three touchdowns; he also ran the ball eight times for 32 yards and one touchdown on the ground. For Fitchburg, Valerio completed 10-of-22 (.455) for a total of 160 yards and two touchdowns.
• On the receiving end, for Fitchburg State, Acosta led the way with four receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown, as for the Lancers, Frank Catanoso (Marshfield, Mass.) caught seven passes for 101 yards.
• The rushing leader for the Lancers was Dexter Andrews (Boston, Mass,) who had 21 carries for 134 yards. The Falcons leading rusher was Brown- Simpson, with 19 rushes and 105 yards with one touchdown score.
• There were 21 total penalties with twelve of those coming at the expense of Fitchburg, and nine for the Lancers. The Lancers penalties cost them 85 yards, while the Falcons lost 124 yards.
• Hwang scored 10 points for the Lancers on the day with six of those points coming from field goals (23 yards, 35 yards) and four points from PAT attempts.
• Tackles were led on the Fitchburg side by Dylan Woods (Townsend, Mass.) with 8 total tackles, while the Lancers' defensive side was led by Quinn with 10 (3 TFL, 2 BRU) and Stanley Udor (Marietta, Ga.) with seven on the day.
• Brum threw four interceptions and Valerio threw five to combine for nine total interceptions on the occasion.  Valerio also fumbled the ball three times, but only lost one. 
• The game ended with 10 total turnovers.
• Worcester State went 6-for-7 in red zone scoring chances.
• Worcester State held a 470-329 margin in total yards (261-203 passing).

UP NEXT

Worcester State will travel to Westfield State to take on the Owls in a MASCAC matchup at 2 p.m. next Saturday. The Falcons will host Bridgewater next weekend on the same date/time.

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Release written by Collin Quinn and Nicholas Gendreau | Sports Information Interns