NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Franklin Pierce University football team earned a convincing 48-14 victory over Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon at Jess Dow Field. Freshman quarterback Giovanni Winters threw for 326 yards and five touchdowns, while Joseph Mugovero hauled in two touchdown receptions to lead the Ravens' offense.
With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in Northeast-10 Conference play, while Southern Connecticut State moves to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
The Ravens scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters, building a 42-7 advantage heading into the fourth. Franklin Pierce added six more points in the final quarter to secure the 34-point victory.
Winters completed 18 of 28 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Mugovero led the receiving corps with five catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Tristan Evans added four receptions for 64 yards.
Franklin Pierce also received touchdown receptions from Connor Marchi, Tristan Johnson and Marques Rodrigues-Smith. On the ground, Jaden Griffin rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Special teams contributed to the scoring as Kha'lil Eason returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown.
The Ravens finished with 428 yards of total offense, including 323 passing yards, and converted 13 of their 15 third-down opportunities. Franklin Pierce also scored touchdowns on all five of its red-zone trips.
Defensively, Damon Smith led the Ravens with nine tackles, followed by Marcus Reed and Kevin Diaz with eight apiece. Darian Lopez-Sullivan added seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while Nate Greene recovered a fumble.
Up Next: Franklin Pierce returns to NE10 action on Saturday, November 7, when the Ravens travel to Assumption University for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff.
