FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The Husson University football team used a 20-0 scoring edge in the third quarter of Saturday's season-opening game at Framingham State University to pick up a 40-13 victory over the Rams in non-conference action.
Husson (1-0) used a 36-yard kickoff return from sophomore Mari Montgomery to put them at the 50-yard line to open its first drive, while a big connection from senior Max Clark to fellow senior Carvil Turner on third down set the Eagles up at the Framingham State (0-1) seven-yard line.
Senior Jed Lober capped off the drive three plays later with a two-yard rushing score to put Husson up 6-0 after the extra-point attempt was blocked.
The Rams looked poised to answer the early score from the Eagles with a big 31-yard completion to get them in Husson territory, but a heads up play from sophomore Kane Smith led to a fumble, which the Eagles recovered to put an end to the drive for Framingham State.
After forcing Husson to punt on its next drive, the Rams were able to knot the score up at six following a 27-yard touchdown pass, which came after a 40-yard completion put FSU in prime scoring position.
The Eagles immediately answered the score from the Rams with an eight-play, 64-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by Lober's second touchdown scamper of the day to open the second quarter.
FSU hung around with a lengthy touchdown drive of its own that shaved five-and-a-half minutes off the clock and knotted the game back up at 13 midway through the second quarter.
Husson nearly carbon-copied the drive from the Rams, as it marched 72 yards on 12 plays and sophomore Caden Crocker found the end zone for the first time in his collegiate career when he hooked up with Clark from seven yards out to put the Eagles up 20-13.
Both squads punted on their next drives and after Husson forced a turnover on downs from the Rams, it was unable to get into scoring position to close out the half, as the score remained 20-13 headed into the locker room.
The Eagles forced a three-and-out from FSU to open the second half and Clark connected with graduate student Cam Holmes for 29 yards to set Husson up at the 10-yard line of the Rams. Lober found paydirt for a third time to bring the lead to 26-13 in favor of the Eagles.
After another punt from the Rams, Clark and the Eagles returned to the air on offense, with Clark and Montgomery connecting three times for 42 yards on the drive, including a 27-yard touchdown strike to further extend the lead for Husson.
Sophomore Brayden Trombly got the Eagles the ball right back with an interception on the next drive for the Rams and Clark found his third touchdown pass of the day when he found Holmes for a 19-yard score to make the advantage 40-13 Husson as the third quarter came to an end.
Neither team added on to the scoreboard in the final period, as the Husson defense secured the shutout in the second half.
Clark finished an efficient 22-26 through the air for 323 yards and three touchdown passes, while also adding two carries for three yards on the ground.
Lober rushed 26 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns, while also hauling in three passes for 44 yards.
Montgomery led the Husson receiving core with six catches for 110 yards and a score, while junior Jacob Lenz tallied eight catches for 73 yards and Holmes added three catches for 71 yards and a score.
Senior Ryan Banister and junior Malcolm McKinnon tied for the team-lead with six tackles, while Banister registered two tackles for loss and McKinnon added one.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday when they head to No. 13/13 Springfield College for another non-conference battle at 12 p.m.
