Falcons Downed by Spartans, 34-13
Fitchburg, Mass.– The Fitchburg State University football team fell to the Spartans of Castleton University, 34-13 in non-conference action at Elliot field on Saturday afternoon.
Jacqua Solomon rushed for 175 yards, touchdown
Fitchburg, Mass.– The Fitchburg State University football team fell to the Spartans of Castleton University, 34-13 in non-conference action at Elliot field on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
Score: Fitchburg State 13 | Castleton 34
Records: Fitchburg State (0-2) | Castleton (1-1)
How It Happened
Castleton opened the scoring with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter. After a defensive interception returned 12-yards to the Fitchburg State 35-yard line from senior linebacker Grant Cummings (Colchester, Vt.), senior quarterback Mitchell Caron (Augusta, Maine) scampered one yard for the early 6-0 lead.
The Falcons evened the score 6-6 with 39 seconds remaining in the first frame, when running back Jacqua Solomon (Bridgeport, Conn.) broke free up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown. However, the Spartans regained the lead as time expired in the quarter as sophomore running back Matthew Hesford (Colchester, Vt.) hauled in a 65-yard pass from Caron to make the score 12-6 at the end of one.
Fitchburg State took the lead 13-12 midway through the second quarter as freshman quarterback Brandon Brown (Lake Mary, Fla.) rumbled in from 9 yards out, before the Spartans took the lead for good with a Moe Harris (Pine Hill, NJ) 4-yard TD run for a 20-13 lead heading into intermission.
The Spartans added a pair of touchdowns in the second half to extend the lead. With the Green and Gold in the red zone, sophomore defensive lineman Chris Rice (Bethel, Conn.) intercepted a tipped ball at the line and returned it 80 yards for the touchdown. A 17-yard touchdown reception for wide receiver Damon Burgess (Bennington, Vt.) secured the 34-13 final.
Inside the Numbers
Third meeting between the two schools on the gridiron with the Falcons currently 2-0 all-time when taking on the Spartans.
Fitchburg State has won the first two contests against Castleton University, including a 31-10 decision last season at Spartan Stadium.
Brandon Brown led the Falcons offense going 11-for-23 for 138 passing yards while running for 110 yards and a touchdown. Solomon finished the day with 175 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side Caleb Gonsalves (Mashpee, Mass.) had a team best 7.5 total tackles.
Punter Bryce Santos (Pelham, NH) averaged 37.0 yards on four punts.
Castleton was led by quarterback Caron who finished 12-for-26 for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jared Brockway (Framingham, Mass.) had three catches for 80 yards.
Chris Rice paced the Spartan defense with 10 total tackles (8 solo, 4 assisted), one sack and a 80-yard touchdown interception.
Up Next
The Falcons host Worcester State next Saturday at 2:00pm to open up conference play, while Castleton travels to Norwich for a 2:00pm kickoff.
