SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College football team fell 41-14 to Franklin Pierce University on Saturday, October 12 in Northeast-10 Conference play.

AIC is now 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the NE10.

The Yellow Jackets busted out a big play early, with Bennie Barnes hitting Fatir Bell for a 31-yard pass on the first drive of the game, but AIC stalled and was forced to punt. Franklin Pierce capitalized, going 86 yards in 12 plays, with Guerschom Guerrier pushing the final yard to the goal line for the game's first touchdown.

Late in the quarter, the Ravens pinned AIC deep in its own territory and forced a punt that did not reach midfield; Franklin Pierce needed just two plays from there to score as Adrian Parker completed a flea-flicker pass to Austyn Howe for 39 yards.

The next Ravens possession was much more arduous, as they started at their own eight, but, aided by a running into the kicker penalty on fourth down, they were able to traverse the field, with Alex Benitez breaking tackles for a 28-yard touchdown run to cap the drive. 

The Yellow Jackets were able to stop the Ravens on the next drive, forcing a turnover on downs near the goal line, but went three-and-out, and Joziah Gonzalez returned the punt to AIC's 10. Reimello Hyde took it the rest of the way on the next play, ultimately giving the Ravens a 27-0 lead.

With the gap significant, the Yellow Jackets elected to hand the reins of the offense to rookie quarterback Connor Dietz. He started the season fourth on the depth chart, but on his second drive had a chance to impress after Michael Grant forced and recovered a fumble deep in Ravens territory. 

He delivered, opening the drive with a 13-yard run, then hitting Jadye Foxworth inside the five for an 11-yard gain before finishing himself by breaking around the left side for his first collegiate touchdown, a run of four yards. Santana Fonseca hit the point after as well.

In the second half, the Ravens added to their lead, scoring on a nine-play, 85-yard drive ending with a Tristan Johnson touchdown catch, but AIC had an answer. Dietz completed passes to Amiyn Hanks and Foxworth to move into Ravens territory, and then busted an incredible 31-yard touchdown scamper around the left side, breaking tackles and diving across the goal line. Fonseca hit his second kick of the day, getting AIC within 34-14.

The Ravens notched the last score of the game with a Howe touchdown for the 41-14 final.

Overall, Dietz was 8-of-14 for 95 yards, and also rushed for 48 total yards, with his rushing total reflecting a 31-yard intentional grounding penalty. Bell led AIC's receivers with 63 yards on four catches. Chris Chasia topped the defense with nine tackles, while Mohammed DIakite and David Jaylin Eppinger each had eight.

AIC next visits Bentley University on Saturday, October 19 at 1:00 p.m.