Worcester, MA --- Senior Corey Spencer (Malden, MA) tossed for a school-record 421 yards and three touchdowns to help pace Worcester State to a 28-14 homecoming victory over Fitchburg State in NEFC Bogan Division action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.
The Lancers improved their record to 6-3 and 4-2 in divisional play while the Falcons fall to 2-7 and 1-6 in the NEFC Bogan Division.
Spencer did his damage on 38-of-47 passing as he reset the single-game completion record that he set last week against Coast Guard. In just nine games, the standout has 2,667 yards and 22 touchdowns – both of which are the second-highest season totals in program history.
Junior AJ Scerra (Marlboro, MA), who came into the contest leading the NCAA Division III in total receptions with 72, was his favorite target as Scerra finished catching eight balls for 92 yards and one score.
Freshman Tyler Cason (Uxbridge, MA) and sophomore Jack Sprague (Maynard, MA) also hauled in seven receptions and combined for 165 yards while senior Justin DeAndrade (E. Bridgewater, MA) added six catches for 76 yards and one TD.
The duo of sophomore Mike Dance (Rocky Hill, CT) and first-year DaShawn Taylor (Ayer, MA) carried the ball 19 times for 67 yards for WSU.
The Falcons were paced by sophomore Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, MA) who rushed for 187 yards on 28 carries (6.7 yards per rush) as he had one of his squads two touchdowns. Sophomore Ty Spencer (Foxboro, MA) pitched in with six receptions for 70 yards for FSU.
After the visitors did nothing on their first drive, Worcester State went 93 yards on their first series which culminated in a 41-yard scoring strike from Spencer to Scerra with 10:38 on the clock.
The Lancers looked to take advantage of another stalled drive by the Falcons, but Fitchburg State forced a fumble on the goal-line to keep the score where it was. But the defense stiffened and held FSU to four and out in their own territory.
Spencer helped take advantage of the opportunity as he delivered five passes for 59 yards on six throws before he helped put the Lancers on top 14-0 on a nine-yard reception to DeAndrade six seconds into the second quarter.
After the Blue and Gold held their opponent to just 59 yards on each of their next two drives, Worcester State used a 10-play, 91 yard series – which was aided by a trio of Falcon penalties – to set the table for a one-yard touchdown plunge by Dance.
On their next series, Teague rushed right into enemy territory to set Fitchburg State up on the WSU 42 yard-line, but the Lancers preserved the shutout by turning the ball over on downs.
The Lancers then used an effective two-minute drill to take over the commanding 28-0 halftime advantage as Spencer threw a 13-yard flick to Sprague.
In the opening frame the Falcons were held to just 126 yards of total offense and did not convert a single third down.
The second period was a different story as the Falcons used Teague to try to get back into the game and a strong pass-rush to pressure Spencer.
The strategy paid off for Fitchburg State as Spencer was sacked in FSU turf as senior Jesus Moore (Lawrence, MA) forced a fumble and junior Tony Louis (Medford, MA) recovered it to set-up their squads first score.
Aided by a key 41-yard burst on third-down by Teague, the Falcons put up a crooked number when he found pay-dirt on a five-yard rumble.
Fitchburg State then held the Lancers to three and out and made it a two-possession game on a one-yard rush by freshman Luis Feliz (Clinton, MA) with 11:56 left in the fourth quarter. Junior Christian Lopez (Bronx, NY) helped put his team on the goal line on a 31-yard bomb to Ty Spencer.
After the Lancers squandered their next opportunity to score, the Falcons looked to use the momentum to put pressure on Worcester State.
But after a 13-yard rush on third-down by Teague and a 21-yard reception by sophomore Elizear Torres (Bronx, NY) put the visitors into enemy territory, WSU was aided by an eight-yard tackle for a loss by sophomore Tyler Asam (Milford, MA) and a 16-yard sack by junior Bryan Narcisse (Medway, MA) on third down.
With the ball on their own 11 and 6:59 showing on the board, the Lancers went no-huddle and ran out the clock. Spencer was terrific as he completed all six of his passes for 79 yards – including a seven-yard slant on fourth down to Scerra which helped him set both single-game marks.
Junior Adam Straughn (Rockland, MA) finished with a contest-best 13 tackles (eight solo) while Narcisse added six tackles (five solo), four of which were for a loss of 33 yards and a pair of sacks.
Junior Pat Conrad (Forestdale, MA) also finished with four solo stops and an interception inside the five yard-line to end the Falcon's first drive and set the table their first score.
Torres paced the defense for Fitchburg State with a team-high nine tackles (eight solo) and he added a 37-yard fumble recovery in the opening stanza of play. Moore chipped in with 1.5 sacks as Louis and freshman Kevin Doung (Fitchburg, MA) distinguished themselves with one sack apiece.
For the game, the Lancer defense held the Falcons to three-for-12 on third-down chances and one of four on fourth down situations.
The offensive line helped pave the way for a school-record 423 passing yards. Scerra now has 80 receptions to his credit to eclipse the single-season mark that he went over last week.