WALTHAM, Mass. (October 30, 2021) -- Against a team which had been held under 30 points just twice in seven games, the Franklin Pierce University football team did some damage on the ground, shortened the game, and hung right with No. 11 nationally ranked Bentley on the road on Saturday afternoon, before ultimately dropping a 24-14 decision. Junior EJ Burgess (Pearland, Texas) ran for 186 yards and a score to lead the way for the Ravens. Graduate student Andrew Brazicki answered with 108 yards and two touchdowns for Bentley, while senior Stephen Sturm threw for 150 yards and another TD.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-8 (0-6 NE10), while Bentley stays perfect at 8-0 (6-0 NE10). The Falcons had been averaging 33 points per game coming into the contest, but only outgained the Ravens 352-341 in total offense.

The only points of the first quarter came for Bentley, via a 31-yard field goal from sophomore Mason Campbell. The Falcons then found the game's first touchdown as well, as a fumbled punt return set them up with first-and-goal at the 5-yard line. Brazicki promptly punched it in from there, as Bentley jumped to a 10-0 lead.

Franklin Pierce answered immediately, with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, which included conversions on both third-and-eight and fourth-and-four along the way. Burgess put together a 22-yard rush on the 11^th play of the drive, which set up his own four-yard touchdown plunge.

On the other side of halftime, Bentley opened the third quarter with a five-play, 68-yard scoring drive, which Brazicki finished off with a one-yard run. The Falcons made it 24-7 early in the fourth, as a nine-play, 89-yard drive ended with a 30-yard touchdown strike from Sturm to freshman Jonathan Oriakhi.

Franklin Pierce capped the scoring and created the 24-14 final with a quick, four-play, 52-yard drive. Freshman Cole Alexander (Anderson, Ind.) notched a 30-yard touchdown pass of his own, as he hooked up with sophomore Tyvarius Daniels (Springfield, Mass.).

Alexander finished 11-for-21 for 111 yards and the touchdown on the afternoon. His favorite target was Daniels, who caught four passes for 66 yards, including the touchdown. The aerial attack worked in support of Burgess, who plowed ahead for 186 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries (6.9 yards per rush). Defensively for the Ravens, sophomore Luke Winslow (Lansing, N.Y.) finished with eight tackles (four solo) and broke up a pass, while freshman Harrison Barjolo (Worcester, Mass.) had eight tackles (five solo) and forced a fumble.

For Bentley, Sturm went 11-for-22 for 150 yards and a touchdown. Senior Noah Neville was his preferred target, to the tune of three catches for 75 yards. Brazicki led the way on the ground, as he rushed 18 times for 108 yards (6.0 yards per rush) and a pair of scores. Defensively, graduate student Cole McCubrey piled up 15 tackles (six solo), including two tackles for loss. He recorded one sack and forced a pair of fumbles. Franklin Pierce put the ball on the ground five times of the day, and lost four of them.

The Ravens are back on the road next weekend, as they travel to Stonehill for an NE10 contest at 1 p.m. in Easton, Mass., on Saturday, Nov. 6.