Corsairs Cruise Past Football in Home Opener
FITCHBURG, MA: Fitchburg State football was defeated by UMass Dartmouth (UMD) in their home opener this afternoon in conference action.
THE BASICS:
- Date: 9/14/24
- Score: UMD 73, Fitchburg 7
- Records: UMD (2-0), Fitchburg (1-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Corsairs got rolling early with two quick scores. The first five minutes consisted of a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dante Aviles-Santos to Angel Sanchez. UMD would then add another touchdown just a minute later after a Mike Henricksen interception for the Corsairs. Aviles-Santos would throw for his second TD pass from six yards out to Naseim Harrison. Alex Moses wouldn't miss a second extra point as he made the score 13-0 in favor of the visiting team. UMD would close out the first quarter with their third touchdown on another Aviles-Santos pass to Thomas Zednik from 35 yards out.
- UMD would add on another three scores in the second quarter. The Corsairs would score their 25th point on a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Jalyn Aponte, and after the extra point, it was a 26-0 UMD lead. Aviles-Santos would pick up his fourth TD pass of the day with 9:32 left in the half from 28 yards out to Harrison for his second receiving touchdown. The Corsairs would close out the half with another rushing score, this time from Kevin Brown, who was six yards out. The Falcons highlight of the half came on an interception by Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA). McKnight dove over a falling Corsair receiver who had the ball bounce off his chest to snag the ball for the only turnover by UMD.
- The Corsairs started the second half with another Interception by Jackson Wellman, who would return it to the house for the touchdown. UMass would break the goal line again with 9:39 left on a two-yard rush by Brown for his second.
- After being down 53-0, the Falcons would work their way down the field and, with 1:13 left in the third, would find paydirt from ten yards out on a Devin Lebron (Peabody, MA) pass to Emilio Cabey (Boston, MA).
- Dartmouth would go on to score three more times before the game was over. Backup QB JC Petrongolo would find Conner Robidoux for a nine-yard score, followed by Napoleon DeBarr breaking away for a 28-yard rushing TD. The last points of the day were on a 50-yard rushing touchdown by Mekhi Wilson.
- Defensively for the Corsairs, Mike Henricksen topped all with ten total tackles and two interceptions. For the Falcons, Jordan Cummings (Swampscott, MA) topped the team with seven tackles. McKnight was just behind him with six tackles, including his interception.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Total Yards: UMD 517, Fitchburg 170
- Passing Yards: UMD 202, Fitchburg 31
- Rushing Yards: UMD 315, Fitchburg 139
UP NEXT:
- Fitchburg State football will return to Elliot Field next Saturday when they host Worcester State in another MASCAC contest.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Latest Men's Football
- Falcons Post 128 Student-Athletes on MASCAC Fall-Winter All-Academic TeamThe Falcons tally 128 student-athletes on the MASCAC Fall-Winter All-Academic Team.
- Monette Named To D3Football.Com All-Region First TeamFitchburg, Mass. – Fitchburg State senior defensive linemen Cameron Monette (Winchendon, MA) was recently selected to the D3Football.Com All-Region First Team as announced by D3Football.com.
- Monette Named To NE Football Writers DII/DIII All NE TeamFitchburg, Mass. – Fitchburg State senior defensive lineman Cameron Monette (Winchendon, MA) was named to the 2024 New England Football Writers Association All- New England Team as announced by the New England Football Writers Association on Monday.
- Football Duo Earn MASCAC All-Conference AccoladesFitchburg, Mass. – Fitchburg State senior Cameron Monette (Winchendon, MA) was recently selected Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football Defensive Player of the Year as well as named to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team, while classmate Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA) earned MASCAC All-Conference Second Team honors as announced by the conference office on Thursday afternoon.
- Football Concludes Season with Loss to WestfieldWESTFIELD, MA: Fitchburg State football closed out the 2024 season this afternoon with a loss to the Owls of Westfield State in MASCAC action.
- Zaire McKnight Tabbed MASCAC Special Teams Player Of The WeekFitchburg, Mass. – Fitchburg State senior defensive back Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA) was recently named Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football Special Teams Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday.
