FITCHBURG — The Fitchburg State University football team made its first home game of the season one to remember.
Falcons wide receiver Jesse Brown hauled in a game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Fitzsimons with just 5 seconds remaining to set off a wild celebration at Elliot Field with a 12-10 win over Castleton.
Fitzsimons was 23-for-37 for 222 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. His Castleton counterpart, Jacob McCarthy, threw for 177 yards (14-for-29) with one interception.
Brown finished with 64 yards and the game-winning TD on seven catches, while Joshua Nelson had 77 yards on nine receptions.
The Falcons (1-1) tallied their first points of the season with an opening 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive for an early 6-0 lead. Fitzsimons found freshman Miguel Perez for a 9-yard gain to start the drive from the hosts’ 35-yard line. Running back Fernando Santiago had 14 yards rushing and Brown caught a deep pass for 30 yards in the drive.
On second-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Fitzsimons found wide receiver Drew Ridenour over the middle for the touchdown.
The Falcons held Castleton scoreless for the first half, limiting the visitors to just 33 yards of offense. However the Spartans (1-1) answered back to open the second half, scoring points on their first two possessions. Sophomore running back Simon Davis capped a 10-play drive with an 11-yard scamper to the end zone, while classmate Andy Kenosh added the extra point for the 7-6 lead.
Kenosh added a 31-yard field goal to increase the Spartan lead to 10-6 midway through the third quarter.
With 2:45 remaining in the contest, the Falcons started the game-winning drive at their own 21-yard line. After a crucial pass interference call on the visitors, Fitzsimons hit Brown for an 11-yard gain to the Fitchburg 44-yard line.
Four plays later, on fourth-and-16 Fitzsimons found Perez on crossing route to the Castleton 40-yard line. The duo connected again for another 22 yards two plays later, setting up first-and-goal with 15 ticks on the clock. Brown sealed the victory with a 4-yard reception in the end zone.
Defensively for the Falcons, junior Richard Austin and freshman Evan Drake had eight total tackles apiece, while senior Malik Crawford had one interception and four tackles.
Up next, the Falcons will travel to UMass Dartmouth next Saturday to begin MASCAC conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
