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 25^th 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.

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