Football Flies Past Bulldogs in Season Opener

FITCHBURG, MA: The Fitchburg State football team started its season with a 49-14 victory over MASCAC newcomer Dean College this evening.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 9/5/25

- Score: Fitchburg 49, Dean 14

- Records: Fitchburg (1-0, 1-0 MASCAC), Dean (0-1, 0-1 MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- The Falcons wasted no time in scoring their first touchdown of the season, reaching the end zone on their opening drive, on eight plays and 45 yards. Anthony Oquendo (Fitchburg, MA) scored the first Falcon touchdown at 9:23 in the first quarter on a 15-yard rush that he bounced outside the left tackle. Oquendo then closed out the first quarter with his second touchdown of the game. This time, it was a 27-yard run up the middle, where he broke multiple tackles to find the end zone and finish a nine-play, 83-yard drive.

- The second quarter started with the Falcons kicking off to the Bulldogs. There was some confusion on the kickoff as Dean forgot they had to at least recover the ball. They left it alone, and Fitchburg's Richard Santana (Fitchburg, MA) recovered it. The Falcons then took advantage of the short field and scored their third touchdown of the game in one play. This time, quarterback Rocky Marchitelli (Gunnison, CO) found Peter Norton (Marblehead, MA) in the back of the end zone from 25 yards out. After a Dean punt, Fitchburg again moved into the end zone after a 70-yard, ten-play drive. Transfer quarterback Luke Thompson (West Islip, NY) finished the drive by plunging into the end zone from four yards out. The Bulldogs closed out the half by finding the end zone for the first time, making the score 28-7. Dean found some success through the air during a seven-play, 81-yard drive. Nick Levine connected with Steven Torchon, who was wide open in the back of the end zone, for a three-yard score.  

- The second half began with both teams trading interceptions, followed by a turnover on downs before the Falcons reached the end zone once more. This touchdown was scored by Oriowokite Fatoke (Worcester, MA) on a three-yard run up the middle. The Falcons then forced another turnover and capitalized with another Oquendo rushing touchdown from seven yards out. Fitchburg finished the third quarter with their last score of the game, bringing the score to 49-7. Marchitelli ran in the final touchdown himself on a perfectly executed fake handoff, running outside to the left for a seven-yard TD.

- The fourth quarter only produced one touchdown, scored by Dean. With 2:22 remaining in the game, they reached the end zone again on a quick out route from Josiah Morales to Terrence Stevenson for a 15-yard touchdown.

- On the defensive side of the ball for the Falcons, Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA) had two interceptions, returning them for 32 yards, and recorded three tackles. Camren Topkin (New London, CT) led the Falcons with nine tackles. For the Bulldogs, Sincere Wright topped all defenders with ten tackles.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Passing Yards: Dean 148, Fitchburg 140

-  Rushing Yards: Fitchburg 300, Dean 17

-  Total Offense: Fitchburg 440, Dean 165

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State football will play again next weekend when they travel to UMass Dartmouth for a 4 PM MASCAC game.

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