PSU Football visits Western Connecticut

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, 1:00 p.m., Westside Athletic Complex, Danbury, Conn. 

PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Plymouth State University's football team will have its hands full this Saturday when it takes on Western Connecticut State University in a Freedom Football Conference contest in Danbury, Conn.

The Panthers and Colonials will kick off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at WCSU's new Westside Athletic Complex. Plymouth State is seeking its first win of the season after three disappointing losses, including its conference opener last week, while 2-1 WestConn, ranked No. 2 in New England, is making its FFC debut this weekend after impressive performances in three non-league games.

Plymouth State is looking to rebound after a 41-0 setback last Saturday at Norwich in its first conference game of the year. The Cadets jumped to a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back. PSU was hoping to defeat Norwich after non-conference losses to UMass Dartmouth and William Paterson. With young and inexperienced players all over the line-up, the Panthers have averaged 213 yards a game in total offense while surrendering over 400 yards per outing.

Western has recorded a pair of dominating home victories this season, blanking Salve Regina (55-0) on Sept. 13 and William Paterson (67-0) last Saturday. Western's only loss was a 25-19 decision at Rowan on Sept. 20, when fourth-ranked Rowan overcame a 19-7 deficit. The Colonials are averaging 359 yards of offense a game, while the defense has allowed just 215 yards a contest.

Plymouth State holds a 21-5 advantage in the all-time series against Western Connecticut, but the Colonials have captured the last four meetings. PSU won 16 in a row between 1977 and 1998, but WestConn broke the streak in 1999 with a 12-9 win, kicking a field goal on the final play of the game. The Colonials won last year's contest 47-19, as well as two years ago in Danbury, 33-17, at Midtown Campus Field.

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