THE BASICS

-Score: Assumption University 35, Franklin Pierce University 28 OT 

-Records: Assumption University (2-3) (2-2 NE10), Franklin Pierce University (0-5) (0-3 NE10)

-Location: Rindge, N.H. (Sodexo Field)

 The Lead: The Assumption University football team continued their 2021 season on the road with an NE10 matchup against Franklin Pierce. The Hounds put up points in all quarters including on their first possession in overtime while the defense held strong on the goal line to secure the win for the Hounds. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

 -Assumption opened the scoring in the first quarter when Khaleed Exum-Strong (Norwichtown, Conn./Trinity Pawling) saw the majority of the ball on the drive and capped it off scoring from three yards  to give the visitors the lead. 

-Franklin Pierce responded at the start of the second quarter when they attacked through the air gaining 47 yards and capping the drive when quarterback Bryce Macina rushed for 5 yards into the Hounds endzone. The following PAT was blocked by Assumption to make the score 7-6 in favor of the visitors. 

-The Hounds immediately responded on the next drive using a steady attack through the air and on the ground. The Hounds capped the drive when Easton Turner (Ashburn, VA./Stone Bridge), found Brevin Easton (Odenton,MD./Archbishop Spalding) for a four yard connection to give the Hounds the lead, 14-6. 

-The Ravens responded with three minutes left in the second quarter moving the ball on the ground and finishing the drive through the air when Macina found Conner Baldasaro for a 19 yard touch down pass to make the game 14-13 heading into the half.

-The Assumption special teams unit came up with a big play halfway through the third quarter when junior linebacker Brandon Santell (Lawrence,Mass./Lawrence) blocked the Ravens punt and returned it for a touchdown to put the Hounds back in front 21-13.

-The Ravens immediately responded with a 55 yard touchdown completion to put the Ravens down one heading into the fourth quarter. 

-The Hounds padded on to their lead when Exum-Strong took the majority of the work on the drive having a big rush for 29 and then recieivng a pass from Turner for an 18 yard gain. To cap off the drive Turner ran it in from three yards out to put the Hounds up 28-20. 

-Franklin Pierce was able to respond and tie the game at 28 with 18 seconds left in the game using a drive that relied heavily on the run game and scoring when Macina found Nathan Selby for an 11 yard touchdown completion. The Ravens then completed the 2 PT conversion to tie the game at 28. 

-With the game going to overtime, the Hounds struck first scoring when Berrell Neal (Plainfield,N.J./ Pope John XXIII) rushed for a 13 yard touchdown to give Assumption the lead.

-The defense held strong and won the game when Macia threw on fourth and three and his pass attempt was broken up by Isaiah Huff (Windsor, Conn./Milford Academy).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

-Assumption had 282 yards of total offense (109 passing yards, 173 rushing) while Franklin Pierce had 431 yards of offense (171 passing, 260 rushing)

-Easton Turner was 13-20 with 103 passing yards and a touchdown while Bryce Macina was 12-20 with 171 yards and three touchdowns. 

-Khaleed Exum-Strong had 15 rush attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown.

UP NEXT

-The Hounds are back home on Friday, October 8 when they host Southern Connecticut State in an NE10 matchup at 7:00 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED

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