DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Framingham State nailed a 27-yard field goal in the final 2:57 of the game, sealing a 23-21 victory over UMass Dartmouth in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Friday night at Cressy Field. The Rams move to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Corsairs are now 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the MASCAC.
 
Trailing by a 20-14 margin following a Rams touchdown, the Corsairs countered with an eight-play, 68-yard drive that culminated in a four-yard touchdown as senior captain Mekhi Wilson stretched out for the score. Junior Connor McManus was critical, hitting the PAT to give UMass Dartmouth the 21-20 lead.
 
Framingham State took over the ball and regained the 23-21 advantage at 2:57 as Ty Kelley nailed the field goal from 27-yards out.
 
The Corsairs got the ball back and worked furiously to get back down the field. After an 11-yard run to the right from rookie back Jayson Dyer brought the home team to the Rams 37-yard line, senior quarterback JC Petrongolo sailed a pass to sophomore Markus Andrews.
 
Framingham State pounced as Treyvon Fields intercepted the pass with 47 seconds left and the visitors continued to drain time off the clock. UMass Dartmouth regained possession with 23 seconds remaining, but an incomplete pass deep right to sophomore wideout Jayden Francois dropped to close the game.
 
For the game, Petrongolo went 14-of-25 with 202 yards. Wilson rushed for 112 yards on 21 carries, scoring all three touchdowns for the Corsairs, while Dyer added 85 yards on nine attempts. Francois caught three passes for a career-high 107 yards.
 
Defensively, the Corsairs were paced by rookie lineman Daniel Cordero, who posted nine total tackles, including five solo. Sophomore defensive back Anthony Diakite recorded seven tackles (5 solo), while junior linebacker Dylan Lykins had six tackles with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Junior linebacker Sam Joseph notched a sack for 17 yards, while sophomore defensive lineman Nadir Johnson also had a sack for 10 yards.
 
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Saturday, October 3 as they head to Mass. Maritime Academy for a 12pm MASCAC game. The Corsairs will also host a Future's Game on September 26 against Bridgton Academy at 3:30pm.