Falcons Rally Falls Short in OT, 20-14

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Fitchburg State University was unable to seal a second half come from behind win, falling in overtime to Western Connecticut State University, 20-14, on Saturday afternoon at Elliot Field. 

With the loss the Falcons fall to 5-2 (3-2 MASCAC) on the season, while Colonials improve to 5-2 (4-1 MASCAC) on the year. 

After stopping Fitchburg State one yard short of the end zone in the first drive of overtime, the Colonials followed up with a five play drive, ending with a one yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Tory Mack to seal the overtime win.  

Western Connecticut State took the first lead of the contest at the 4:49 mark on a seven yard rushing touchdown by Mack as he found a hole to the right side, led by his offensive line and dove in for the 7-0 score to cap off a five play 45 yard drive. 

The Colonials doubled their lead to 14-0 on a five yard run by Mack for his second score of the game at 4:35 in the third quarter. The six play, 25 yard drive nearly ended on what looked like a 3^rd and 11 stop on the Falcons 15 but a pass interference penalty was called which led to the eventual touchdown.

Fitchburg State University was able to get on the scoreboard with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie found senior wide receiver Phillip Saint-Juste, who made a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone to cut the deficit to 14-6. The touchdown by Sainte-Juste tied the program record with 17 receiving touchdowns tying Carlos De La Rosa '12. 

With 11:33 remaining in the fourth quarter Fitchburg State senior linebacker Junior Louissaint gave the Falcons the momentum with a forced and recovered fumble to put the hosts on the West Conn.'s 43 yard line.

In the ensuing drive the Falcons would tie the game (14-14) with a five yard run by junior running back Kendall Perry for his second rushing touchdown of the season, followed by a successful two-point conversion on a pass by Dellechiae to junior wide out Taylor Ekstrom. 

With 1:35 remaining on their own 14 yard line the Falcons were able to get the ball to the 50 yard line but fell short to convert on the late game-winning heroics, and the game went into overtime tied up at 14-14. 

In the first possession in overtime the Green and Gold marched down the field but were stopped short at the one yard line on two unsuccessful attempts by junior running back Kihliefa Best. 

The Colonials in the ensuing possession were able to seal the overtime victory on a seven play drive that ended in a one yard touchdown by Mack for the 20-14 win. 

Dellechiaie finished the day going 17-30 for 173 yards and one td, while Perry led the Falcons on the ground with 44 yards on 19 carries for one touchdown. Sainte-Juste recorded 93 receiving yards in the record-tying day with nine receptions and one touchdown. 

For Western Connecticut, sophomore Michael Nichol went 10-14 for 96 yards, and Mack had 100 yards on the ground on 33 touches for three touchdowns. 

Defensively, FSU was led by junior linebacker Luis Feliz with a team-high 14 tackles, while senior Pedro Camilo chipped in with 13 tackles and one sack on the day. 

Senior linebacker Chris Elser led the away side with 10 tackles, while sophomore Delshawn Wilson contributed with six tackles in the winning effort.

The overtime contest was just the first for the Falcons since Oct. 10, 2009 when Fitchburg State defeated United States Coast Guard Academy on the road, 37-34. 

Fitchburg State will be idle next week, with their next contest coming on Saturday, Nov. 1 in their final regular season home game of the year as they host Westfield State University at 1:30pm. Western Connecticut State hosts Worcester State next Saturday at 5:00pm. 

Follow the Falcons on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!