RINDGE, N.H. (October 1, 2022) -- It was Bentley early, Bentley often and Bentley throughout on Saturday afternoon at Sodexo Field, as the visiting Falcons dealt the Franklin Pierce University football team a 41-0 defeat in Northeast-10 Conference play. Senior Abel Lopes Jr. had a touchdown in each of the first two quarters, as Bentley build a 20-0 halftime lead en route to the shutout victory. Senior Bryce Macina (Syracuse, N.Y.) threw for 156 yards in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-4 (1-2 NE10), while Bentley improves to 3-2 (1-1 NE10).

Bentley found points on each of its four first-half drives to jump out to a 20-0 lead. The Falcons opened with a six-play, 56-yard drive, capped by a 39-yard heave deep down the right side, as Lopes hauled in a pass from graduate student quarterback Mark Waid to open the scoring. The next two Bentley possessions resulted in field goals, as the Falcons went 10 plays and 30 yards to set up a 32-yard kick for junior Mason Campbell. Next time out, it was 10 plays and 41 yards to set up a 20-yard attempt.

The Falcons made it 4-for-4 on their next drive, which chewed up 68 yards in just eight plays to find the end zone again. A 34-yard scramble by Waid on second-and-five provided most of the setup work, but it was another somewhat-lengthy touchdown pass, as Waid connected with Lopes from 26 yards out this time.

It was more of the same on the other side of halftime, as Waid threw his third touchdown pass of the day in the third quarter, when he found sophomore Nayvon Reid from nine yards out. Waid and senior Nate Larkins each had one-yard touchdown rushes in the fourth quarter to run the final score out to 41-0.

Bentley posted a 330-167 advantage in total offense on the day, which included a margin of 173-11 in rushing yards.

For Franklin Pierce, Macina went 13-for-28 on the afternoon, for 156 yards, but was also intercepted three times. Graduate student EJ Burgess (Pearland, Texas) rushed 15 times for 46 yards (3.1 yards per rush). Burgess and senior Anthony Anderson (Stamford, Conn.) each had four catches, the latter for a team-best 49 yards. Defensively, sophomore Trey Sejour (Everett, Mass.) led the way with 10 tackles (two solo), including a half-sack, while fellow sophomore Tyquon Stokes (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had an interception, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries, to go with five tackles (two solo).

For Bentley, Waid was 10-for-22 for 157 yards and three touchdowns, against one interception, through the air, and added a game-high 103 yards on 16 attempts (6.4 yards per rush) on the ground, with another score. Lopes collected three receptions for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, junior Salvatore Lupoli Jr. had six solo tackles, including one for loss, and mixed in a quarterback hurry as well. Senior Jailen Branch hauled in a pair of interceptions.

The Ravens are on the road for the next two weeks, beginning with a trip to Assumption on Sunday, Oct. 9. Opening kickoff is set for noon at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass.