Framingham, Mass. – Sophomore Adam Wojenski (Stratford, Conn.) tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Stephen Beahn (Spencer, Mass.) with 10 second remaining in the fourth quarter to rally the Framingham State football team from a three point deficit to a 39-35 victory over Western Connecticut State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Framingham's Bowditch Field.
Entering the game, the Rams and the Colonials were both 5-1 in the MASCAC, while Plymouth State entered this week at 6-1. With the victory the Rams improve to 8-1 on the year and are now 6-1 in the league, while the Colonials are now 5-2 in the MASCAC and 7-2 overall. Plymouth State, who has a bye next week, finished their regular season today with a victory over Fitchburg State and have guaranteed themselves at least a share of the MASCAC Title.
Trailing 27-26 after a fumble recovery on a backwards pass and a six-yard return for a score by Haywood Alexander (Stamford, Conn.) with just over eight minutes, the Rams capped a three play, 68 yard drive that took just 48 seconds with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Wojenski to Beahn. The Rams went for two and did not convert and lead 32-27 with 7:38 left in the third.
Western Connecticut answered with a 15-play, 81 yard drive that took 6:28 retaking the lead on a two yard touchdown run by junior Khalil Patterson (Hartford, Conn.). The Colonials converted the two point conversion and led by three, 35-32, with 1:04 on the clock.
The Rams countered with a game-winning five play, 56 yard drive that took just 46 seconds. The Rams took over on their own 44-yard line with 56 seconds left. A completed pass to Khaneil Bruce (Cambridge, Mass.) and a 14 yard rush by Will Cowdrey (Marlborough, Mass.) gave the Rams the ball on the Colonials 33 yard line with 26 seconds remaining. Bruce caught another pass for 11 yards and Cowdrey gained seven on the next play putting the ball on the 15 yard line. On the next play Wojenski connected with Beahn for a 15-yard touchdown and Ryan Clifford (Brockton, Mass.) converted the extra point putting the Rams up 39-35.
The Rams bounced the ensuing kickoff and it was downed by the Colonials at their own 39 yard line. Senior Quinn Fleeting (Waterbury, Conn.) completed a short pass, but time expired before they could get off another play.
Western Connecticut got on the board first in the opening quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by Patterson, but Rufus Rushins (Lynn, Mass.) tied the game with a four yard touchdown run with just under six minutes remaining in the first.
The Rams tallied a pair of second quarter touchdowns to take a 20-7 lead at the break. Bruce caught a 10-yard touchdown from Wojenski in traffic in the end zone and Wojenski connected with Nasir Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) for a 33-yard score.
Fleeting scored on a one yard run with 6:27 on the clock in the third to cut the Rams lead to six, but Wojenski scampered into the end zone from 14 yards out pushing the lead back to 26-14. Duane Gary (New Haven, Conn.) caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Fleeting with 1:54 left in the third to pull within five, 26-21, at the end of three quarters.
Wojenski finished the game completing 18-of-27 pass attempts for 325 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Junior Napoleon Miller (Boston, Mass.) had five catches for 121 yards, while Beahn finished the game with five grabs for 93 yards and two scores.
Fleeting completed 24-of-35 for the Colonials for 266 yards with a touchdown and no picks. Gary finished the game with 119 yards rushing on 21 carries, while Patterson rushed for 27 yards and a pair of scores.
The Rams defense was led by 12 tackles, including 11 solo, from senior Tom Burns (Attleboro, Mass.), while senior Nathan Fleming (Windham, Conn.) added nine tackles and a pass break up.
The Colonial defense was led by nine tackles from Doug Katz, while Stephen Walker and Austin Thornberg added seven apiece.
The Rams close out the season at home next Saturday when they host Worcester State University at noon on Senior Day, while the Colonials travel to Westfield State on Friday night for a 7 p.m. game.