RINDGE, N.H. – David Butler's 14-yard touchdown with 2:41 remaining in the game brought Mansfield within a field goal at 24-21, but Franklin Pierce would hold on for the win in the CSFL opener at Sodexo Field.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Franklin Pierce (1-0, 1-0 CSFL) put the first points on the board on Owen King's 30-yard field goal. Mansfield (0-1, 0-1 CSFL) quickly answered back with D.J. McLean's 72-yard touchdown catch from Nick Cherasaro to cap a three-play drive and lead 7-3. It was the seventh touchdown reception of the sophomore's career.
 
Two possessions later, McLean hauled in a 42-yard reception down to the Franklin Pierce 14 yard line, which set up Butler who punched in his first career touchdown on the ensuing play. The score increased the Mountie lead to 13-3.
 
The Ravens brought the score within 13-10 late in the first half with 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Lubas to Tionne Brown.
 
In the third, Kobie Smith put Franklin Pierce on top with his 38-yard rushing touchdown with just over two minutes to play in the quarter. The Ravens then made it an 11-point game with a quarterback keeper by Lubas that went 19 yards for a scored to make it 24-13.
 
Butler hit the endzone for the second time in the game with his 14-yard scamper to pull within a field goal, but it would be too little too late for the Mounties.
 
The freshman Cherasaro was 18-31 for 207 yards and a touchdown pass in his first collegiate start. His favorite target on the day, Mclean, had six receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. Shaun Jackson recorded five catches for 36 yards.
 
Butler grinded out 89 yards on the ground over 18 carries for a pair of touchdowns. The rookie averaged 4.9 yards a carry in the game.
 
Evan Shumway posted a team-high nine tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and Kyle Post added seven tackles. Iman McKay recorded a sack for the Mounties that went for a loss of six yards.
 
Josh Friebis forced a fumble and Andrew Schwenk came up with an interception.
 
Lubas Passed for 146 yards for the Ravens while Smith eclipsed the 100-yard milestone with 133 yards on the ground.
 
Franklin Pierce posted 347 yards of total offense to Mansfield's 313.
 
The Mountaineers host Navy next week for their home opener at Karl Van Norman Field for Military Appreciation Day.