Football Falls to Framingham State, 46-7

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Framingham State University football team dominated from start to finish as the visiting Rams defeated Bridgewater State University, 46-7, in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division action this afternoon in Bridgewater.

Framingham improves to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in the NEFC Bogan.  Bridgewater falls to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in divisional play.

Senior quarterback Kurt Leone (Marshfield, Mass.) completed 17 of 24 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams, while freshman tailback Melikke Van Alstyne (Salem, Mass.) rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries.

Senior place kicker Phil Cosmos (Natick, Mass.) added three field goals for the visitors with a long of 40 yards.  Framingham also recorded a safety on botched snap on a punt attempt and scored a pair of touchdowns on an 18-yard fumble return by senior defensive end Corey Steele (Andover, Mass.) and a 22-yard interception return by sophomore defensive end Jeffrey Touron (Brockton, Mass.).

Bridgewater's only score of the day came on a first quarter 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by freshman Chris Constantine (Hingham, Mass.).  It marked the Bears' first kickoff return for a touchdown since 1994 (George Fernandes).

Framingham outgained the Bears in total offense by a margin of 435 to 164 and also held a 19-8 edge in first downs.  The Rams also had a decided advantage in time of possession, holding on to the ball for more than 38 minutes, and forced five Bridgewater State turnovers.

Senior safety Anthony Pappagallo (Malden, Mass.) paced the Framingham defense with six solo tackles (one for loss), a forced fumble and interception and a pass breakup.

Senior running back Justin Fuller (Berkley, Mass.) paced the Bridgewater State offense with 75 yards on 13 carries.  Defensively for BSU, freshman defensive end Tate Doehler (Lakeville, Mass.) and junior linebacker Chris Chamberlin (South Easton, Mass.) recorded seven tackles apiece while freshman linebacker Kevin Donahue (Norfolk, Mass.) notched six solo tackles.

The 39-point margin of defeat is the Bears worst loss since a 64-21 home setback to Springfield College in 1998.  Framingham snapped an eight-game losing streak versus the Bears and also won in Bridgewater for the first time since the 1976 season (44-0).

Bridgewater travels to Westfield State University next Saturday to take on the Owls at 1 PM.  Framingham hosts Mass. Maritime Academy on Saturday at 1:30.