WORCESTER, Mass.– The Assumption University football scored on all three phases of the game, as they routed Franklin Pierce University 56-12 in Northeast 10 Conference action, Saturday afternoon, on Senior Day at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 56, Franklin Pierce University 12
Records: Greyhounds (7-2, 6-0 NE10) | Ravens (5-4, 4-2 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption wasted little time taking control of the contest, as
Dom Santiago capped a 12-play, 69-yard opening drive with a six-yard touchdown run to give the Greyhounds a 7-0 lead.
Luke Liborio added a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the first quarter, extending the advantage to 10-0.
The Greyhounds continued their offensive dominance in the second quarter, as
Widley Jean-Francois broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 17-0. Franklin Pierce responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Giovanni Winters to Joseph Mugovero, but Assumption's Damion Sparrow returned the blocked extra-point attempt for two points. Just 46 seconds later, Santiago connected with
Matt Raeke for a 26-yard touchdown pass before
Kaiden Brochu added a one-yard rushing score, sending the Greyhounds into halftime with a commanding 33-6 lead.
Assumption opened the second half with an explosive special teams play, as
Treyvion Gilbert returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, extending the advantage to 40-6. Liborio added a 42-yard field goal midway through the third quarter before Franklin Pierce's Anthony Salviati returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown, making it 43-12.
The Greyhounds continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, as Jean-Francois capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive with his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon, this time from six yards out. Less than two minutes later,
Dante Vernieri intercepted Winters and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown, sealing the 56-12 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Santiago finished with 231 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing score
- Jean-Francois rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Brochu added 62 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Keith Mancini led the receiving corps with four catches for 65 yards.
- Assumption dominated on both sides of the ball, outgaining Franklin Pierce 446-30 in total offense while holding the Ravens to minus-20 rushing yards and recording five sacks.
- The 30 total yards by Franklin Pierce, was the fourth fewest in Division II this season.
- Owen Fitzgerald led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, including three solo stops, while Manny Cox recorded six tackles, two sacks for 14 yards, three quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick. Jhensen Touze added five tackles, two tackles for loss, and five quarterback hurries.
- The Greyhounds also received blocked kicks from Keith Mancini and Jepthe Jean, while Vernieri highlighted the defensive performance with his 28-yard pick-six.
- Assumption leads the all-time series 5-0.
UP NEXT
- Assumption at Pace University, Saturday, November 14, 12:00 pm.
- Franklin Pierce vs. Saint Anselm College, Saturday, November 14, 1:00 pm.
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