Bucs Play Rams Close, fall by two Scores

Bucs Play Rams Close, fall by two Scores

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – Saturday afternoon, the Buccaneers opened MASCAC play with a home game against Framingham State University. In front of a crowd of over 1,200 fans, the Buccaneers and Rams started with a wild first quarter that included a muffed punt for a Maritime touchdown and a blocked extra point. Though the teams played a close first half, Framingham made the game a two-score affair and ultimately took the win, 28-13, at Clean Harbors Stadium.

For Maritime, quarterback Ty Ebdon (Gales Ferry, Conn) completed 12 of 36 passes for 148 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. On the ground, Ebdon added 45 rushing yards on eight attempts. Running back Benjamin Sheehan (Wilbraham, Mass) ran the ball 16 times for 41 yards and the only Maritime offensive score. On special teams for the Bucs, Jeff Wheeler (Hanover, Mass) recovered a muffed punt by Framingham State in the end zone for an MMA touchdown. On the ensuing play, George Lampros (Bridgewater, Mass) had his extra point blocked by the Rams; Lampros made his other PAT attempt. Lampros also punted for the Bucs, racking up eight punts in all for an impressive 310 yards, two of which were downed inside the 20, with a long punt of 55 yards. Defensively, the Buccaneers picked off three FSU passes, each one by a different player. Austin Stahmer (Wareham, Mass) had the first interception for the home team on the first offensive play of the game. Colbey Williamson (Easton, Mass) and Sean Smialek (South Dartmouth, Mass) had the other two turnovers in the game.

The Rams had a tough start with the interception on the first play of the game by Adam Wojenski, but, he turned things around going 22 of 33 for 336 yards and three touchdowns in the game; adding the three interceptions to his stat line. Wojenski also ran for a touchdown though he finished the game with seven rush attempts for negative two yards. Three different receivers caught touchdown passes from Wojenski, Michael Calicchio, who caught five balls for 101 yards and the touchdown on the day. Napolean Miller and Quron Wright caught the other two scores. Defensively for the Rams, Israel Etienne led the team with a game high 12 tackles, eight of which were solo.

With the wild start going in favor of the Bucs, it looked like things would go their way throughout the game. Overall, the Rams racked up 11 penalties for 160 yards, compared to just two penalties for 10 yards by the Bucs. The Maritime offensive line was also able to keep Ty Ebdon upright all game allowing no sacks, while the MMA defense sacked Wojenski a total of three times.

After one quarter of play, with a 7-6 score in favor of the Rams, only separated by a blocked point after try, it seemed the game would stay close throughout. Framingham would add a score in the second and take a 14-6 lead to the halftime break.

The second half was more of the same. Stout defense by both sides, a couple of big offensive plays for the Rams, good movement down the field by the Buccaneers and a similar score line. Framingham added seven in the third and seven in the fourth, Maritime only being able to counter with a touchdown in the third quarter.

When all was said and done, after a last ditch, fourth quarter effort with just over six minutes left in the game by Maritime, the clock hit zero and the Rams walked off the field with the 28-13 conference victory at Clean Harbors Stadium.

The Buccaneers will be on the road next weekend as they travel to Fitchburg State for a 2pm kickoff with the Falcons.