RINDGE, N.H. - The Franklin Pierce University football team opened its home schedule with a thrilling 35-28 victory over Bentley University on Saturday evening at Sodexo Field. Sophomore Joseph Mugovero led the Ravens with three touchdown receptions and 190 receiving yards, while quarterback Kevin Leal threw for five touchdowns to power the Franklin Pierce offense.
With the victory, Franklin Pierce improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Northeast-10 Conference play, while Bentley fell to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference action.
After entering halftime trailing 21-7, the Ravens erupted for 28 second-half points to complete the comeback. Leal finished the contest completing 16 of 25 passes for 312 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.
Mugovero led the receiving corps with six receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns, including a 67-yard reception. Senior Tristan Evans added three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Raj Hillhouse hauled in three receptions for 22 yards and a score.
On the ground, Jaden Griffin led Franklin Pierce with 90 rushing yards on 14 carries as the Ravens finished with 451 yards of total offense.
Defensively, Jeremiah Hayes recorded a team-high nine tackles, while Darian Lopez-Sullivan added eight tackles and an interception. Will Gomes also collected an interception and five tackles as the Ravens forced two turnovers.
Franklin Pierce opened the scoring for the Ravens with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Leal to Evans in the first quarter. Trailing by 14 at halftime, the Ravens responded with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns from Leal to Mugovero, connecting from 15 and 61 yards to even the score at 21-21.
After falling behind again in the fourth quarter, Franklin Pierce put together a 16-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by an 11-yard touchdown reception from Hillhouse with 3:34 remaining.
With just 1:18 left on the clock, Leal connected with Mugovero for a 67-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens the lead. Griffin added the successful two-point conversion reception to extend the advantage to 35-28. Gomes sealed the victory with a late interception.
NEXT UP: Franklin Pierce returns to the road on Saturday, October 3, for an NE10 match up against American International College. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
