Pilgrims Shutout by Football in Non-Conference Action

FITCHBURG, MA: The Fitchburg State football team took down the New England College (NEC) Pilgrims in non-conference action this afternoon on Elliot Field, 48-0.  

THE BASICS:

- Date: 9/20/25

- Score: Fitchburg 48, NEC 0

- Records: Fitchburg (2-1), NEC (0-3)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- The Falcons scored early and often in this non-conference matchup. Rocky Marchitelli (Gunnison, CO) had a season-high 227 yards passing with four touchdown passes and 54 rushing yards. He threw his first touchdown on the Falcons' first drive to Emilio Cabey (Boston, MA) from nine yards out. The last score in the first quarter came on Oriowokite Fatoke's (Worcester, MA) first carry, where he broke a couple of tackles and scored on a 12-yard rush.

- The second quarter featured four Falcons touchdowns. The first was a 50-yard reception by Cabey, marking his second score of the day. The next was a one-yard rush by Abu Hussein (Wallington, NJ), making the score 28-0. The third score in the second quarter came on another TD pass by Marchitelli, this time to Sahir Gomez (Whittier, CA) from 11 yards out. The fourth and final touchdown of the half was another pass from Marchitelli, who connected with third receiver Peter Norton (Marblehead, MA) for a 14-yard score, ending the half at 41-0.  

- The second half only saw one score, which was the final one from the Falcons to reach a 48-0 finish. Hussein scored the last touchdown, his second of the game, from one yard out.

- Defensively for the Falcons, Camren Topkin (New London, CT) led with 15 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Dexter Brown (Peabody, MA) was close behind with ten tackles. Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA) had his second two-interception game, along with six tackles. For the Pilgrims, Erik Menger led with eight tackles and one sack.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Passing Yards: Fitchburg 236, NEC 25

-  Rushing Yards: Fitchburg 246, NEC 71

-  Total Offense: Fitchburg 482, NEC 96

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State football will be back after their bye week for homecoming on October 4^th at noon against Framingham State.

STAY CONNECTED:

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