Rindge, N.H. – The Edinboro football team used all three phases to grind out a 10-7 victory over host Franklin Pierce in the 2022 season opener Saturday afternoon.

"We needed all three phases to come out with this win," said head coach Jake Nulph. "The defense was stout, special teams set up the game-winning score and our offense made big plays when we needed them to close the game out."

Leading 10-7, Reed Martin boomed a 53-yard punt pinning the Ravens at their own 3-yard line. Franklin Pierce managed to move the ball out to their own 44, but a Ty Thornton sack on third and nine forced the Ravens to punt.

Edinboro took over at their own 35 with 6:42 to play. The Scots never gave the ball back using 12 plays to cover 51 yards and salt away the victory. Isaac Bernard connected on two key third down passes. The first was a 15-yard strike to Nico Mrvos on third and six. Facing a third and six at the Franklin Pierce 30, Bernard stepped up in the pocket, pulled up just before the line of scrimmage finding Anfreenee Williams for the game clinching first down.

"Finishing the game with the ball in our hands was exactly what we wanted," said Nulph. "Closing out the game with a drive like that is a big boost for our team."

With the game tied at the half, the Scot defense forced a three and out for the Raven offense. Armani Bailey caught the ensuing punt at the Edinboro 34 and provided just the spark Edinboro needed taking the punt 54 yards to set up the Scots at the Franklin Pierce 12. Edinboro didn't find the endzone, but Martin connected on a 26-yard field goal to give Edinboro a 10-7 lead that they never relinquished.

The Scot defense was stout through the entire game holding returning NE-10 Offensive Player of the Year EJ Burgess 74 yards on 24 carries for just 3.1 yards per carry well below his average from a season ago. Clay Cunningham paced the defense with 15 total tackles with 2.5 for loss and one sack.

"Keeping a player like Burgess contained is an 11-man job," said Nulph. "We did a really good job of getting penetration up front and then rallying to the ball to keep him contained."

Edinboro recorded 11 tackles for loss none bigger than a fourth and three stop on the Ravens deepest drive of the second half. Franklin Pierce took their second drive of the third quarter down to the Edinboro 30-yard line where they faced a fourth and three. The Ravens on the edge of field goal range chose to go for it, but Malcolm Johnson sniffed out he quarterback draw and took down Kevaris Thomas for a two-yard loss to turn the ball over to the offense.

"That is 100 percent credit to our guys," said coach Nulph. "The was a check that our players made themselves and put themselves in exactly the right place end that drive."

It was Edinboro that got on the board first with a quick strike early in the second quarter. Facing a third and eight from their own 42, Bernard found Thaddeus Standfield on a deep cross and Standfield did the rest getting to the sideline and into the endzone for a 58-yard touchdown.

The Ravens answered with 12-play, 83-yard drive capped by a 27-yard touchdown throw with five seconds to play to knot the game 7-7 going into the half.

Bernard finished the game with 177 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. Standfield was the leading receiver with four catches for 76 yards and a score. Watkins hauled in three passes for 24 yards. Williams led the rushing attack with 82 yards on 21 carries.

Clay Cunningham recorded 15 total tackles including eight solo stops two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss to lead the defense. Wilfredo Diaz made eight tackles. Johnson added six tackles, two for a loss. Thornton was a disruptive force with two tackles for loss and a sack.

The Scots return to action next Saturday with a trip to Shepherd. Kick off is set for noon.