Article written by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (09/09/2023) – Franklin Pierce University football registered its first loss of the season in Saturday's match up against American International College 27-24. The game decided by just three points lasted six hours after weather delays stacked on top of each other due to strong thunder storms that rolled through New England.

Records:
Franklin Pierce University (1-1)
American International College: (1-1)

FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY LEADERS:
QB:
Jordan McAfee – 13/23 - 241 yards, 2 Touchdowns, 0 INT
Receiving:
Joziah Gonzalez  – 11 Receptions for 178 yards
Antonio Smickle Jr. – 6 Receptions for 81 yards, 1 TD
Anthony Anderson – 4 Receptions for 48 yards, 1 TD
Special Teams:
Tyreice Dominique – 3 kick returns for 127 yards, 1 TD

 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL LEADERS:
QB:
Cephas Williams: 17/31 – 368 yards, 4 Touchdowns, 1 INT
Receiving:
Brian Lafrance – 2 Receptions for 91 yards, 1 TD
Fatir Bell – 4 Receptions for 89 yards
Seba Nekhet – 1 Reception for 89 yards
Jaheim McGuire – 3 Receptions for 25 yards, 1 TD
Jadye Foxworth – 2 Receptions for 23 yards, 1 TD

THE ACTION:

All four quarters between the Ravens and Yellow Jackets kept fans and players on the edge of their seats. AIC was quick to get on the board in their very first possession which started at their own 23 yard-line. After a string of short passes and runs, AIC QB Cephas Williams threw a 51-yard pass to Brian Lafrance who crossed into the end zone. With the extra point kick from Colby Briggs, AIC went up 7-0.

The Ravens immediately responded during the following kickoff. Sophomore Tyreice Dominique (Rocky Hill, Conn.) received the ball just steps from FPU's own end zone and turned on the jets for a 95-yard kick return crossing into the end zone to score Pierce's first points of the afternoon. With the extra point, the score evened out at 7-7.

Going punch for punch, AIC quickly responded the following drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jadye Foxworth. With the extra point kick, AIC went up 14-7.

In the second quarter, both teams were fired up showing plenty of energy but so were the clouds over Springfield. Cracks of thunder and lightning sounded whistles from the referees sending both teams to the locker rooms and fans to their cars. The delay kicked off at 5:48 PM and players didn't return to the field until 9:00 PM.

After the hours long delay, the Raven's offense got right back to work when Franklin Pierce graduate QB Jordan McAfee (Everett, Mass.) threw up a 25-yard touchdown to senior Antonio Smickle Jr. (Farmingdale, N.Y.). With the kick, the score again tied at 14 a-piece.

Both FPU and AIC traded four-and-out drives but AIC struck again after a 75-yard bomb from Cephas Williams to Seba Nekhet that put the Yellow Jackets ahead 20-14. With just one second left in the second quarter, the Raven's responded with a field goal from red shirt freshman David Rufo (Woburn, Mass.) which closed out that half with the Yellow Jackets ahead 20-17.

Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, but emotions ramped up high immediately after the start of the fourth. During a 33-yard field goal attempt from AIC, FPU defensive lineman junior Tino Savaiinaea blocked the kick, keeping the Ravens within three-points of the lead. From their own 25 yard line, the Ravens marched down the field, ending the drive with a 23 yard touchdown pass from Jordan McAfee to senior wide receiver Anthony Anderson (Stamford, Conn.). With the kick, the Ravens took their first lead of the game, 24-20.

Two drives later, the Yellow Jackets started from their own seven yard line. A roughing the passer penalty gave AIC some breathing room from their own end zone. The very next play, AIC's Cephas Williams threw a 66 yard pass to Fatir Bell which landed the Yellow Jackets 12 yards from taking the lead. Three plays later a short pass to Jaheim McGuire put AIC out in front. With the kick, the Yellow Jackets went up 27-24 with under five minutes to go.

The following drive, the Ravens went four-and-out and AIC was able to kill the remaining 4:00 minutes on the clock to earn their first win of the season.

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS:
Franklin Pierce University Football will be back on the road for week 3. The team will take on Pace University at Pace on Saturday September 16^th at 12:00 P.M.