MANCHESTER, N.H. — The Saint Anselm College football team earned its first shutout win since the 2023 season with a 21-0 victory over Granite State and Northeast 10 (NE10) foe Franklin Pierce University (3-3, 2-2 NE10) on Saturday night at Grappone Stadium.

Highlights

• Junior Drew Forkner completed 13 of 22 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown.
• Senior Aidan Noke rushed in for two scores.
• Freshman Domingo Meade, the reigning NE10 Rookie of the Week, scored Saint Anselm's lone touchdown through the air while compiling 39 yards on three receptions.
• Junior Anthony Almeida rushed for a career-high 86 yards on 18 attempts.
• Junior Tanner Wolfe registered a team-high nine tackles, with four solo takedowns to his credit.
• Senior Aidan Noke and fifth year Matt Smith notched seven tackles apiece. Smith recorded two tackles for a loss.
• Noke, Smith, and sophomore Ryan DeLancey each forced one fumble.
• Saint Anselm's two interceptions were recorded by fifth year Dev Lee and senior Hugo Silsby.
• Senior Thomas Murray averaged 39 yards per punt over three punts, with one punt pinning the Ravens inside their own 20 yard line.
• Junior Michael Guarnieri was successful on all three point after tries.
• The Hawks, who ranked sixth in the nation in time of possession entering the contest, possessed the ball for over 41 minutes.
• Saint Anselm recorded 21 first downs to Franklin Pierce's 10.
• The Hawks' offense outgained the Ravens' 339-238.
• Saint Anselm secured first downs on three of its four fourth down conversions.
• The win marked the first in shutout fashion for Saint Anselm since its 14-0 win at No. 21 Assumption University on Oct. 21, 2023.
• The Hawks improved to 6-0 in the all-time series against Franklin Pierce, with three wins coming at Grappone Stadium.

How it Happened

After the Hawks kicked the ball away on the opening kickoff, senior Hugo Silsby caused a fumble on the Ravens' second play on offense which was recovered by fifth year Thomas Hoffman to set the Hawks up with on the visitor's 35 yard line. Saint Anselm's offense punched it in 55 seconds later as senior Ronan Noke rumbled in from five yards out to put the Hawks up early.

Just over six minutes later, Franklin Pierce fumbled for the second time as senior Aidan Noke which was recovered by sophomore Joe Marino.

Following a three-and-out by the Ravens, the Hawks doubled their lead 6:02 into the second quarter as freshman Domingo Meade registered a 20-yard touchdown pass from junior Drew Forkner.

Early in the second half, Saint Anselm recorded yet another takeaway as fifth year Dev Lee registered an interception. Silsby tacked on an interception with 10:12 left in regulation on FPU's fourth turnover of the night.

Noke rumbled in from four yards out following the two minute warning to put the game on ice as the Hawks' defense held firm for the final 1:54 of the contest to secure the shutout.

Up Next

The Hawks will play host to American International College (0-0, 0-0 NE10) on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff from Grappone Stadium is slated for 1:00 p.m.