Football Storms Back for Thrilling 35-24 Win over SCSU
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Franklin Pierce (4-3) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 35 |
|
Southern Connecticut State (2-6) | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
New Haven, Conn. (10/26/24) - Franklin Pierce University's football team secured an exhilarating 35-24 victory against Southern Connecticut State University, overcoming an early deficit with a dominant second-half performance.
Score: FPU 35, SCSU 24
Records: FPU 4-3 (4-1 NE10), SCSU 2-6 (1-5)
Location: Jess Dow Field, New Haven, Conn.
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
HOW IT HAPPENED:
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Southern Connecticut struck first, with E'lijah Gray capping a 95-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run at 7:10 in the first quarter. Franklin Pierce's defense held firm for much of the second quarter, but a 27-yard field goal from Daniel Benzi and a 5-yard touchdown pass from Keith Ridley to Divine Edwards pushed the Owls ahead 17-7.
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The Ravens clawed back before halftime with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Guerschom Guerrier (Naples, Fla.), trimming the deficit to 10-7. The Ravens carried their momentum into the third quarter, as Alex Benitez (Belle Meade, N.J.) tied the game at 14-14 with a 6-yard touchdown run following a 78-yard drive.
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Franklin Pierce took the lead early in the fourth quarter with Guerrier's second touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run that capped an 18-play, 99-yard drive. However, Southern Connecticut quickly answered, with Shawn Martin returning the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, regaining the lead at 24-21.
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The Ravens responded resiliently. Benitez found the end zone for the second time, giving Franklin Pierce a 28-24 advantage midway through the fourth quarter. With just over three minutes left in the game, Guerrier punched in his third rushing touchdown of the day, sealing the 35-24 victory.
INSIDE THE LINES:
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QB Adrian Parker (Manchester, Conn.) led the offensive charger for Franklin Pierce, completing 25 of 27 passes for 275 yards.
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Benitez and Guerrier combined for five rushing touchdowns.
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The Ravens amassed 471 yards of total offense.
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Defensively, the Ravens held Southern Connecticut to 46 rushing yards and sacked Ridley three times.
UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Franklin Pierce football team returns home to Sodexo Field when they host Saint Anselm. Kickoff is set for 1 PM.