BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University football team battled Framingham State University throughout Saturday afternoon's season opener before the Rams pulled away late for a 33-21 victory at the Dr. John W. Winkin Sports Complex.
The Eagles (0-1), who led 14-13 at halftime, received touchdowns from senior Brett Davis, sophomore Anthony Santacroce and senior Jacob Lenz, while the defense recorded three sacks, two takeaways and a blocked punt. Husson finished the afternoon with 216 total yards, including 131 through the air and 85 on the ground.
Husson wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After Framingham State (1-0) was forced to punt midway through the opening quarter, the Eagles took over at the Rams' 35-yard line. Two plays later, senior Brody Gibson connected with Davis on a 31-yard touchdown pass with 5:54 remaining in the first quarter. Senior Alexander Henry added the extra point to give Husson a 7-0 advantage.
Framingham State answered with a touchdown drive to tie the game before taking a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Michael Marcucella to Ayden Ramirez.
The Eagles responded with their longest scoring drive of the afternoon. Husson marched 75 yards on 14 plays, consuming more than eight minutes off the clock. The drive featured a 26-yard run by sophomore Daniel Ruiz Cantu that moved the Eagles inside the five-yard line before Santacroce powered into the end zone from three yards out with 4:18 remaining in the half. Henry's extra point put Husson back in front, 14-13.
Husson's defense then came up with a big play late in the second quarter. With 51 seconds remaining, junior Brayden Trombly intercepted a Framingham State pass at the Rams' 49-yard line, allowing the Eagles to carry the lead into the halftime break.
Framingham State regained the lead midway through the third quarter when Marcucella scored on a two-yard touchdown run, putting the Rams ahead 20-14 with 10:48 remaining in the period. The Rams later drove inside the Husson 10-yard line, but the Eagles' defense held firm. Framingham State's 29-yard field-goal attempt with 1:54 left in the third quarter sailed wide, keeping Husson within one score heading into the fourth.
The Rams extended their lead to 27-14 with 9:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Husson quickly answered. After forcing a Framingham State punt, which was blocked on a great play by Trombly, the Eagles needed just one play to find the end zone. Gibson connected with Lenz on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 5:19 remaining, bringing Husson within 27-21 after Henry's extra point.
Framingham State, however, responded with a critical scoring drive of its own. The Rams converted a fourth-and-eight situation at the Husson 38-yard line when Marcucella found Mathias Fowler for a 38-yard touchdown with 2:04 remaining. The extra point was missed, leaving the score at 33-21.
Husson attempted to mount one final comeback, but Gibson's pass was intercepted by Treyvon Fields with 1:43 remaining. Framingham State then ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Gibson completed 14 of 26 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Lenz six times for a team-high 68 receiving yards and one touchdown. Davis added 31 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Santacroce rushed for 46 yards and a score on 14 carries. Ruiz Cantu contributed 40 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
Defensively, Trombly led the Eagles with 10 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked punt. Sophomore Erik Menger also recorded 10 tackles and a sack, while freshman Calvin Casavant added seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss yards. Husson totaled 66 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks as a team.
The Eagles will look to bounce back when they return to action next week when they host Springfield College at 12 p.m.
