Article written by Department of Athletics student-staff writer Rich Rosa

Raven Standouts:

Adrian Parker (Manchester, CT): 16/27 - 165 Passing Yards, 1 Touchdown, 0 INT & 11 Carries – 34 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown

Alex Benitez (Belle Meade, NJ): 13 Carries – 91 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown & 1 Reception for 1 Yard

Guerschom Guerrier (Naples, FL): 4 Carries – 47 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown

Antonio Smikle, Jr. (Farmingdale, NY): 5 Receptions – 62 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown

Tristian Evans (East Dummerston, VT): 33 Yard Punt Return for a Touchdown

Tyvarius Daniels (Springfield, MA): 14 Yard Interception Return

Anthony Salviati (Attleboro, MA): 17 Yard Interception Return

Geno Facchetti (Wilbraham, MA): 33 Yard Interception Return for a Touchdown

PLEASANTVILLE, NY (9/16/2023) – Franklin Pierce University showed off serious fire power on both sides of the ball Saturday in a dominant 41-2 victory over the Setters of Pace University.  

Franklin Pierce improves to 2-1 on the season, their best start in program history. Pace falls to 0-3 with the loss. 

After losing on the road last week against AIC, the Ravens wanted to start the afternoon on a high note. Franklin Pierce's defense forced punts on Pace's first two drives of the game.

On FPU's second drive the Ravens lined up on their own one-yard line. Quarterback Adrian Parker (Manchester, CT) rushed left and was taken down in the end zone by Pace sophomore defensive lineman Christian Aiken, resulting in a safety. Pace led 2-0 with 8:37 left in the first quarter.

A few drives later, Pace quarterback Aidan Kennedy's pass was intercepted by Raven's sophomore linebacker Geno Facchetti (Wilbraham, MA). Facchetti ran for 33 yards to the house to give the Ravens their first lead of the afternoon. David Rufo (Woburn, MA) made the extra point to give the Ravens a 7-2 lead over the Setters. 

In the second quarter, Franklin Pierce applied the pressure offensively and defensively on Pace. Franklin Pierce's defense forced Pace to punt on their first two drives of the quarter. With five minutes left in the first half, Alex Benitez (Belle Meade, N.J.) ran up the middle for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Ravens a two-score lead. Rufo made the extra point, and Franklin Pierce led 13-2.

On the next drive, Pace went three-and-out, and the punt by Jacob Liebert was blocked by Raven's freshman Guerschom Guerrier (Naples, Fl.). Raven's freshman Tristian Evans (East Dummerston, Vt.) picked up the ball and ran 33 yards to the house to give the Ravens a three-score lead.

On the next drive, Pace QB Aidan Kennedy's pass was broken up by FPU Senior Tyvarius Daniels (Springfield, Mass.) and picked off by freshman Anthony Salviati (Attleboro, Mass.). Salviati returned it 17 yards before he was knocked out of bounds at the Franklin Pierce 42-yard line. Franklin Pierce led 20-2 at halftime. 

On Franklin Pierce's first drive of the second half, they marched the ball down the field. The drive was highlighted by a 28-yard pass by Parker to sophomore Austyn Howe (Newington, Conn.) to set up first-and-goal at the Pace nine-yard line. Two plays later, Parker's pass was intercepted by Pace redshirt freshman Jalen Johnson. This was Parker's first interception of his career with the Ravens.

On Pace's first drive of the second half, Franklin Pierce's defense forced a three-and-out. On the next drive, Franklin Pierce had the ball for over four minutes, which ended with a two-yard touchdown run by Parker. Rufo made the extra point to give Franklin Pierce a 27-2 lead over Pace.

The Ravens got the ball at the Pace 15-yard line two minutes later. Parker connected with senior wide receiver Antonio Smikle, Jr. (Farmingdale, NY) for his second touchdown of the season. Rufo made the extra point, and the Ravens had a 34-2 lead. A minute later, Daniels picked off Kennedy for his third interception of the season and returned it 14 yards. 

In the fourth quarter, the only points came from the Ravens when Guerrier ran up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown. This was Guerrier's first career touchdown as a member of the Ravens. In the final ten minutes of the quarter, the Setters turned the ball over on downs and were forced to punt. 

For Franklin Pierce, Parker went 16 for 27, with 165 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also had 11 carries for 34 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jordan McAfee (Everett, MA) came in for Parker late in the game and went 2 for 2 with 31 passing yards. For Pace, Kennedy went 9 for 23, with 99 passing yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. Kevin Melore replaced Kennedy and went 3 for 7 with 22 passing yards. 

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: For week four, Franklin Pierce returns to Sodexo Field for their home opener on Saturday, September 23, as they take on the New Haven Chargers at 6 p.m.