Article written by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy and Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Kelsey Sagvold 

Raven Standouts:
Offense:
QBs
Adrian Parker: 7/13 – 170 yards – 1 TD
Jordan McAfee: 9/15 – 68 yards

RBs
Alex Benitez: 19 carries – 90 yards – 1 TD
Andrew Meleski: 10 Carries – 52 yards – 2 TDs

WRs
Austyn Howe – 9 receptions – 197 yards

Defense:
Tyvarius Daniels: 2 Interceptions for 59 Yards
Trey Sejour: 7 Tackles

Special Teams:
Tyreice Dominique: 3 kick returns for 137 yards (45.7 average)

PAINESVILLE, OHIO (9/2/2023) - The ten hour bus ride was worth it for the Franklin Pierce University Ravens Football program this weekend, as they took down the Lake Erie College Storm 26-10. For the first time in program history, the Ravens kicked off their season with an opening game victory.

The opening drives from both teams brought on a flood of cheers and emotions. Lake Erie quarterback Xeavier Bullock threw a 49-yard missile to Jovohn Tucker, but Franklin Pierce University junior Harrison Barjolo (Worcester, Mass.) forced the fumble which went out of the endzone resulting in a touchback and turnover to the Ravens. From the Raven's own 20-yardline, redshirt freshman quarterback Adrian Parker (Manchester, Conn.) threw a 31-yard pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Antonio Smickle Jr. (Farmingdale, N.Y.) , followed by a 41-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Austyn Howe (Newington, C.T.). After two deep passes, sophomore running back Andrew Meleski (Ashland, Mass.) finished the job with a four-yard punch into the endzone. Junior Kicker Nolan Startzell (Scituate, Mass.) then came through with the extra-point making it 7-0 Ravens. The 80 yard campaign took just over 90 seconds to put the Ravens on the board in their first drive of the season.

Franklin Pierce wasted no time in the second quarter when just four seconds in, Meleski ran for a one yard touchdown marking his second of the game. The extra point failed resulting in a 13-0 lead for the Ravens.

Both teams traded possessions several times through the second quarter when finally the Storm responded with a 74-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard pass to Lake Erie's Jovohn Tucker. With the extra point the Ravens lead 13-7.

The following kickoff by the Storm reached the Franklin Pierce 4-yardline and was caught by sophomore Tyreice Dominique (Rocky Hill, Conn.) who then turned on the jets and ran the ball to the 37-yard line. That set up the Ravens for a solid drive fueled by Austyn Howe who caught three passes for 54 yards. Sophmore Alex Benitez (Belle Meade, N.J.)  finished the job with one yard run into the endzone. With the extra point the Ravens went up 20-7 to close out the half.

Returning to the field for the third quarter, the Ravens picked up where they left off scoring one minute into the second half. After a short pass and a run play, the Ravens set up on their own 41-yardline. Quarterback Adrian Parker snapped the ball from the shotgun position, stepped back and launched a pass deep over the middle. Again, Austyn Howe brought in the long ball crossing into the endzone for a 59-yard touchdown. Nolan Startzell came back into for the successful extra point, giving the Ravens the 26-7 lead.

The last sign of life from the Lake Erie Storm was a successful field goal, neither team scored in the third or fourth quarter.

The Franklin Pierce Ravens next game will be against the American International Yellow Jackets on Saturday September 9th at 7pm.