Falcons Topped By Wolves In MASCAC Action
McCurdy notched first three career TD receptions for Green and Gold
Danbury, Conn.– The Fitchburg State University football team dropped a 41-21 decision to the Wolves of Western Connecticut State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the WAC.
The Basics
Score: Fitchburg State 21, Western Connecticut State 41
Records: Fitchburg State (1-8, 0-7 MASCAC) Western Connecticut State (7-3, 6-2 MASCAC)
How It Happened
Western Connecticut State took a 7-0 lead at the 9:37 mark of the first when senior Chad Blaszky (Selden, N.Y.) polished off a six-play, 45 yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The Wolves doubled the lead (14-0) three minutes later as sophomore Dennis Riordan (New City, N.Y.) found senior Michael Matich (Floral Park, N.Y.) from six yards out.
Trailing 21-0, Fitchburg State dented the scoreboard with just 45 second remaining in the half with junior quarterback Logan Wilson (Woburn, Mass.) connecting with newcomer Keyshawn McCurdy for a eight yard strike, but Western Connecticut State answered back when sophomore Jaicob Tejeda (Valley Stream, N.Y.) took the ensuing kickoff back 90 yards for the TD to make the score 27-7 going into the break.
Following the intermission, Western Connecticut State extended the advantage to 34-7 early in the third quarter when Matich hauled in his second score of the contest from Riordan, this time from 13 yards outs. The Green and Gold responded midway through the quarter though with McCurdy gabbing a pass from Wilson and racing 69 yards for his second touchdown on the day to cut the deficit to 34-14.
The Falcons continued to battle as McCurdy tallied his third touchdown reception of the game when the freshman wideout pulled down a 22-yard strike from sophomore Dylan Cosner (Endicott, N.Y.) and following senior kicker Linnea D'Acchille (Valley Falls, N.Y.) third PAT of the contest made it 34-21.
The Wolves secured the victory however with Blaszky running in a five-yard touchdown just seconds into the fourth quarter, resulting in the 41-21 final.
Inside the Numbers
This afternoon's contest marks the tenth matchup between the Falcons and the Wolves on the Gridiron with Fitchburg State 1-9 all-time when taking on Western Connecticut State.
Fitchburg State was paced by Wilson, who went 9-for-14 with 137 yards and two TD passes, while McCurdy finished with five receptions for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, Calif.) ran for 90 yards on 13 carries.
For Western Connecticut State, Riordan finished 13-of-23 through the air with 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Blaszky rushed for 166 yards on 27 rushes and three TD's.
Defensively for the Falcons, sophomore defensive back Jordan Cummings (Swampscott, Mass.) registered a game-best ten tackles (7 solo, 3 assisted) with 1.5 TFL's, while newcomer Jayelinn Miller (Tacoma, Wash.) chipped in with three solo tackles and an interception.
For the Wolves, senior Matt Forti (New York, N.Y.) collected a team-leading eight stops (7 solo, 1 assisted) and one TFL, while junior Myles Wilson (Mastic Beach, N.Y.) added seven tackles (6 solo, one assisted).
Freshman Keyshawn McCurdy notched his first three collegiate TD's
Freshman Jayelinn Miller collected his first collegiate interception
Sophomore Dylan Cosner tossed his first collegiate TD pass
Up Next
Falcons return to action next Saturday as they travel to Westfield State to take on the Owls of Westfield State for a MASCAC tilt, starting at 12:00 PM.