WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University will kick off against the Framingham State University Rams as part of the the Owls' Family and Champions Weekend this Saturday, September 24 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference football game. Kickoff will be at 2:00 PM on Alumni Field.
Westfield State (0-3) will look to bounce back after a tough 34-20 loss against Western Connecticut State (2-1) last Friday (September 16). Framingham State will enter Alumni Field with a 1-2 record, prevailing over Saint John Fisher University (31-20), and losing to UMASS Dartmouth (46-21) and Brockport State University (27-7).
Last Meeting: Framingham State toppled the Owls 41-6 in Framingham, Mass last year. Rams quarterback Nicolas Goffredo (Hyde Park, NY) threw for three touchdowns on 139 total passing yards, and junior running back Marcus McBean Jr (Norwood, Mass.) rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown. Rams DL Joshua Onugiogu, who now is a member of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, made nine tackles, including five for losses. For the Owls, quarterback Peyton Capizzi (East Setauket, N.Y) threw for 72 yards and rushed for the Owls' only touchdown. LB Cameron Danahy led Westfield in tackles with six solo, and two assisted tackles.
Westfield on Offense: The Owls have relied heavily on breakout junior quarterback Colby Pires (Milford, Mass.) this season. Pires won his second straight MASCAC Rookie of The Week award for his performance against Western Connecticut. His 24 completions matched the third-best single game total in school history. Junior running back Jordan Smith (Coventry, Conn.) leads the Owls' rushing game totaling two touchdowns on 131 yards in just over 41 carries. Junior wide receiver Michael Foley (South Windsor, Conn.) has been a popular target for Owls quarterbacks with two touchdowns and 248 receiving yards.
Westfield on Defense: Westfield slowed down WestConn in the second-half last week, limiting the Wolves to 157 yards and seven points. Sophomore linebacker Tyler Cooley (Randolph, Mass.) led Westfield with 13 tackles and a sack. He leads the team with 31 stops this year. Junior safety Christian Julian (Hingham, Mass.) is second with 23 total stops and has the Owls' lone interception through three games. Senior LB Cam Danahy is third in tackles with 21 and has a pair of sacks and forced fumbles.
Westfield on Special Teams: The Owls have received solid production from Michael Foley and Christian Julian for the return teams. Foley returned a kickoff for 31 yards that kickstarted a scoring drive against Western Connecticut. Julian leads the team in return yards with 127 yards on six returns. First-year kicker Evan Milstead (Riverside, Calif.) has converted seven extra points in nine tries. Shane Clark leads the punting unit with an average of 32 yards per punt.
Framingham on Offense: The Rams offense is triggered by senior quarterback Nicolas Goffredo (Hyde Park, NY.), and junior quarterback Noah Leonard (Taunton, Mass.). Goffredo holds the edge with 196 passing yards and a touchdown, and has rushed for 132 yards through three gams. Leonard is completing 50% of his passes going 8 for 16 and throwing for a single touchdown. Junior running back Devaun Ford (Mashpee, Mass.) leads the Rams' rushing game with 264 total yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Manny Lara (Lawrence, Mass) leads the team with 119 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams had trouble with ball security last week, fumbling four times and losing three.
Framingham on Defense: Senior defensive back Cully Curran (Arlington, Mass.) leads the Rams on defense with 9.3 tackles per game on 28 total tackles. Sophomore linebacker Dylan DeWolfe is seeking to add to his fumble recovery totals. He leads all Rams defenders with two fumble recoveries. Three different players have recorded interceptions this season.
Framingham on Special Teams: The Rams are relying on sophomore kicker Matthew Farley (Middleboro, Mass.). Farley has scored 100% of his attempts going a perfect eight for eight extra point attempts and scored on his single field goal attempt. Senior punter Henrique De Boni (Rio Claro, Brazil.) leads the conference at 42 yards per punt over his 15 kicks this season. Freshman wide receiver Jaden Lewis (Fall River, Mass.) has been dynamic in the return game at 28.4 yards per kickoff with a TD, and 35 yards per punt return.
Next Week: The Owls will flock to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, to kick off against Mass Maritime Academy in a MASCAC football game on Saturday, October 1 at 12:00. Framingham State will go host Plymouth State at Bowditch Field.