Football Opens NEFC Play With Historic First Victory
Sept. 22, 2003
Beverly, MA- The Endicott Gulls recorded their first victory in the history of the program with a 27-7 win over the Rams of Framingham State. Turnovers were the key to Endicott's win as they forced 3 fumbles and intercepted the ball 5 times.
All cylinders were clicking for Endicott on Saturday. The offense was punishing with the run. The first touchdown came just 11 seconds into the 1st quarter when on Endicott's first offensive play, Matt Thompson ran for 75 yards to put Endicott up 7-0.
With 10:15 to go in the 2nd quarter Dan Marshall caught a 24 yard pass from quarterback Andy Roy to put Endicott ahead 13-0. Jeremiah Demste kick failed, keeping the score at 13-0.
Special teams for Endicott came up big when they forced a fumble on Andy Watkins of Framingham with 10:01 to go in the second quarter. Endicott got the ball on the Framingham 9 yard line and on the next play Scott Bartush rushed in for the score putting Endicott up 20-0.
The next score in the game didn't come until 9:59 to go in the 4th quarter when EC's Jay Munroe recovered a fumble on Endicott's 7 yard line and ran the ball back 93 yards for the score. The Gulls jumped ahead 27-0.
Framingham didn't score until 8:52 to go in the 4th quarter when Watkins rushed for 51 yards for the touchdown. The score then read Endicott 27, Framingham 7 which went on to be the final of the contest.
One of the most impressive stats of the day for Endicott, other than the 8 turnovers they forced was the 242 rushing yards they netted on offense. The Gulls rushed the ball 46 times and had an average of 4.8 yards a carry. Matt Thompson led the running game with 144 yards on only 9 attempts and slated 1 touchdown. Andy Roy passed for 64 yards with 1 touchdown and completed 6 passes on 17 attempts.
Ryan Walsh led the Endicott defense with 9 tackles, while Michael Farrell played the role of a center fielder in the backfield corraling in 3 interceptions.
Rams' Watkins rushed for 106 yards on 16 attempts and 1 touchdown. Framingham quarterback, T.J. Beary completed 11 passes on 26 attempts but threw 4 interceptions and completed 0 passes for a touchdown. James Messer led the Rams defense with 9 tackles.
The Gulls will go to the road for the first time ever this Saturday when they take on Western New England College at 1:00.