It was just the way a program wants to start of a Football Campaign, beautiful weather, a packed crowd and a well fought game between two very good teams.
Chase Edmonds. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
In front of 3,462 rocking fans it was the #11/12 Fordham University Rams (1-0) that were able to earn a 52-23 victory over the St. Francis University Red Flash (0-1) in NCAA Football action at Jack Coffey Field on August 30.
Missing some key players to start the home opener Fordham found key contributions including the play of Freshman running back Chase Edmonds (Harrisburg, Pa.) who set the schools freshman running record with 181 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns (the former mark was 157 yards set by Xavier Martin in 2007). Edmonds also recorded 119 kickoff yards on three returns, while also making a tackle on special teams.
Edmonds actually got the game going for the Rams taking the opening kickoff 65 yards to the Saint Francis 35, but Fordham was not able to convert on the opportunity at the time.
Fordham’s defense, who was impressive throughout most of the night, as an early three-and-out play eventually set up a field goal for Michael Marando (Brooklyn, N.Y.) who completed a 29-yard-attempt to give the Rams a 3-0 lead.
Chase continued to set the pace for the Rams, having impressive runs of 44-yards in the Second Quarter. One play after that drive Quarterback Michael Nebrich (Burke, Va.) completed a 23-yard pass to Wide Receiver Robbie Cantelli (Holmdel, N.J.) for a touchdown. That score with a Marando point-after attempt gave the Rams a 17-0 lead.
Nebrich finished the game with eleven passes for 188 yards and three scores, while the offense as a whole amassed 427 yards of total offense.
Linebacker Victor DiFusco (Mahopac, N.Y.) had a huge night on the defensive end leading all with 12 stops, nine solo. Defensive Lineman Marlon Crook, Jr (Forestville, Md.) added seven, while also having 2.5 huge sacks and a forced fumble, while JQ Bowers (Sylvania, Ohio) had seven tackles, including one sack.
St. Francis University did not go down without a fight, as the Red Flash started to find a groove in the Fourth Quarter. Running back Khairi Dickson had a career-high 244 yards and two touchdowns to lead the offense.
In the end Rams found key contributions in all the right places to earn the victory, while also putting their name down in the history book in quite a few categories. For Fordham the 52 points put on the board by the Rams is the most in a season opener on Jack Coffey Field against an NCAA FCS opponent (previous record was the 51 points scored by Fordham against Rhode Island in last year’s season opener).
Fordham was also able to earn their eighth straight victory at home, which sets a school record for longest home winning streak since the venue opened in 1970. The former seven-game mark was set between 2001 and 2002.
1495 Sports is proud to bring the following postgame video:
Head Coach Joe Moorehead and Players Michael Nebrich and Chase Edmonds:
The Rams will now go on the road to take on a very tough Villanova team on Saturday, September 6. Fordham will return back to Jack Coffey Field on September 14, when they host the Rhode Island Rams for a 1:00 p.m. start time.
Fans are encouraged to click on the link seen below to find out more about the Fordham University Athletics Department: