Worcester, MA --- Freshman running back Garrett Jones (Stow, MA) broke through the middle of the Framingham State defense on the second play of overtime for a 22-yard touchdown run to lift the Worcester State College Lancers to a, 36-29, overtime win over the visiting Rams Saturday afternoon at Coughlin Field.  The win improves the Lancers to 3-2 (2-0 NEFC) while the loss evens the visitors at 2-2 (1-1 NEFC). 

The Lancers trailed, 14-0, at the half as Framingham posted first and second quarter touchdowns.  Framingham State opened the scoring taking the opening kickoff and marching down the field on an 11 play 60 yard drive that culminated in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Eian Bain (Stafford Springs, CT) to receiver Anthony Kewley (Rutland, MA).  Senior Ashley Baker (Mansfield, MA) converted on the extra point try to give the Rams the, 7-0, advantage.  Framingham State added to their lead when senior Luke Guarino (Winthrop, MA) scored on a 4-yard plunge to cap off a 54 yard drive where 43 yards came on a Bain to Roland Gervais (Griswold, CT) pass play.  The Lancers struggled the entire half as they didn’t convert their first first down of the game until late in the second quarter.  The Rams out gained the Lancers 196 to 20 in the half.

Worcester State halved the lead when an errant punt snap by the Rams led to the Lancers taking over possession deep in Ram territory at the 15 yard line.  Pat Good (Hull, MA) tossed a 7-yard touchdown to tight end Scott Pollard (Taunton, MA) to set the score at, 14-7.   The Lancers scored their second touchdown of the third quarter when Matt Leeds (Bellingham, MA) forces a fumble at the Framingham State 46 yard line which Matt Zompa (Providence, RI) recovered.  After four straight Garret Jones runs brought the ball to the Ram 15 yard line, Good connected with fullback John DesRochers (Dracut, MA) on a 15 yard pass play to knot the game at, 14-14, going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter proved to be interesting.  Bain hooked up with Gervais again on a 16-yard pass play to the back of the end zone to give Framingham a, 20-14, lead as the extra point was blocked by Paul Lewis (Worcester, MA).  Worcester State took advantage of another Framingham State turnover when freshman Eric McGraw (Walpole, MA) picked off a pass and returned it to the Framingham State 21 yard line.  A DesRochers 2-yard touchdown plunge followed by a Chris Nosek (Spencer, MA) extra point gave Worcester State a, 21-20, lead.  After Worcester State forced the Rams to punt, the Lancers looked like they would be able to run out the clock but Framingham’s Joe Miller (Woburn, MA) stripped a Lancer running back and recovered the fumble racing 63 yards to give Framingham State a, 26-21, lead after a failed 2-point conversion try.  A good kick return and a costly pass interference penalty gave Worcester State good field position with under three minutes to play. Jones finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run followed by a Good to Pollard 2-point conversion for a, 29-26, Lancer lead.

The ensuing kickoff was returned to the Framingham State 43 yard line and the Rams drove to the Worcester State 14-yard line with 3 seconds remaining where Framingham attempted a 31 yard field goal which was short; but a Worcester State penalty gave Framingham State another chance and place-kicker Shawn Miller (Tyngsboro, MA) nailed the 26-yarder to tie the game as time expired.

In overtime after Jones’ 22-yard run, Framingham State’s 4^th down effort was intercepted in the end zone by junior Leeds to give Worcester State the win.

Defensive end Mike Coppola (Dracut, MA) was immense all day for the Lancer defense as he registered 15 tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.  Framingham State’s William Junkins (Abington, MA) had 4 sacks to lead the Ram defense.

Worcester State will return to action next Saturday when they head to Castine, Maine to take on Maine Maritime.   Framingham State will visit Bridgewater State.