Franklin, Mass.- The Dean College Bulldogs football team fell 12-0 to Fitchburg State in the regular season opener for both teams on a warm Saturday afternoon at Lippert Field in the Longley Athletic Complex. The loss drops Dean to 1-0 and imrproves the Falcons record to 1-0 on the season. A tightly contested affair, the game was decided by two huge plays from the FItchburg State offense, both pass plays that connected up the seam for touchdowns, including a 99 yard catch and run.

Late in the first quarter after five punts and a turnover on downs to open the game, the Falcons Rocky Marchitel found a streaking Sahir Gomez for a 40 yard strike to give the visitors the early advantage. After the missed PAT, Fitchburg led 6-0, which is how the score remained through the end of the first half. Dean threatened late in the  half after their first interception of the game, from senior Ryan Tigges (Burlington, Mass. ). On the ensuing possession, freshman quarterback Amari Harris (New Bedford, Mass.) floated a pass down the left sideline for sophomore receiver Melo Zelaya (Miramar, Fla.), connecting on a 29 yard gain that set the Bulldogs up on the edge of the red zone. Penalties and tackles for loss forced the Bulldogs out of scoring position, however, and the trip came up empty. 

The third quarter opened with a sustained Bulldog drive, nine plays and 29 yards before a fumble ended a promising possession and gave the visitors possession in their own end. After a pair of punts, Dean recorded another interception, this time by first-year Amari Robinson (Meriden, Conn.) on a long ball down the seam that he caught in a highlight-reel fashion behind his head. Robinson returned the ball nine yards to near midfield setting up the Bulldogs on a crucial drive at the end of the third. Dean drove the ball deep into Falcon territory at the start of the fourth, but eventually had to settle for a punt. Senior Noah Pearson (Tilton, N.H.) unleashed a perfect punt, downing the Falcons inside their own five yard line. The Bulldogs stuffed Fitchburg's first two attempts and forced a 3rd and 13 from the Falcons' own one yard line. On the third down try, Falcon quarterback Devin Lebron found Emilio Cabey in the seam after a play-fake and delivered a strike. Cabey did the rest, outpacing the Bulldog defense for a full-field gallop to give the Falcons a 12-0 lead. The Bulldogs tried to rally late in the fourth, but could not find the end zone to complete the comeback.

Dean was led by Casey Shrosphire (Camden, S.C.), who ran for 58 yards on 13 carries. Zelaya paced the Bulldog receiving unit with 37 yards on three catches. Harris finished 8-19 for 50 yards and an interception. On defense, Christian Donalson (San Antonio, Tex.) led the Bulldogs with eight tackles, while Austin Roy (Blackstone, Mass.) added six. Freshman Elijah Walker (Upper Marlboro,Md.) and senior Joe Penton (Manassas Park, Va.) both finished with five tackles and a sack. In addition to Tigges' and Robinson's interceptions, Isaac Dorlean (Miramar, Fla.) also had a pick. 

Dean is off next week before hosting Curry College on Saturday September 21st.