SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Franklin Pierce University football team picked up a 35-24 Northeast-10 Conference victory over American International College on Saturday afternoon at Ronald J. Abdow Field.
The Ravens improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in NE10 play with the victory, scoring 21 points in the second half to pull away from the Yellow Jackets.
Franklin Pierce struck first late in the opening quarter after Donald Young recovered a muffed punt at the AIC four-yard line. Two plays later, Kevin Leal connected with Ryan Rocheleau for a one-yard touchdown to give the Ravens a 7-3 lead.
After AIC moved ahead 10-7 in the second quarter, Franklin Pierce answered with an 80-yard scoring drive. Shawn Brown capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:15 remaining in the half to put the Ravens back in front, 14-10. The Yellow Jackets responded with a touchdown of their own to take a 17-14 advantage into halftime.
The Ravens took control in the third quarter. Brown found Joseph Mugovero for a nine-yard touchdown with 10:22 remaining to put Franklin Pierce ahead 21-17. Just over a minute later, Jeremiah Hayes recovered an AIC fumble and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 28-17.
AIC pulled within four on an 80-yard touchdown run late in the third, but Franklin Pierce responded immediately. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Brown connected with Mugovero for a 38-yard touchdown, Mugovero's second score of the afternoon, to push the lead to 35-24.
The Raven defense kept AIC off the board for the remainder of the game, forcing another fumble before turning the Yellow Jackets over on downs with just over three minutes remaining.
Mugovero led the Franklin Pierce receiving corps with three catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Brown completed 11 of 14 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score. Jaden Griffin led the ground game with 93 yards on 15 carries.
Defensively, Hayes and Darian Lopez-Sullivan each finished with 10 tackles. Hayes added a half sack and returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown, while Kevin Estime totaled eight tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Franklin Pierce returns to action on Saturday, October 10, when the Ravens travel to Delaware State University for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
