Box Score
PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Sophomore Steve
Campbell (Northborough, Mass./Algonquin) rushed 16 times
for 177 yards and four touchdowns Saturday afternoon at Currier
Field to lead Plymouth State University to a 34-7 victory over
Salve Regina University in the New England Football Conference Boyd
Division finale for both teams.
The Panthers won their eighth straight contest and 12th in a row at
Currier Field, improving to 9-1 on the season. PSU also
claimed the Boyd Division crown with a 7-0 mark, and will travel to
Bogan Division co-winner Maine Maritime Academy next Saturday for
the NEFC Championship game. Salve concludes its season at 4-5
overall and 3-4 in conference play, its best season in eight years.
Cambell, who has started every game at linebacker for PSU, moved to
offense with Panther star running back Jeff Mack
(Milford, N.H.) on the sideline with the flu. Campbell had a
nine-yard scoring run in the first quarter, four-yard and
career-long 61-yard TD scampers in the third quarter, and rounded
out the scoring with a three-yard touchdown burst early in the
fourth quarter.
It was a close game for the first half, with the home team leading
just 14-7 at the break. But PSU wore down the Seahawks in the
second half and scored 20 unanswered points. The Panthers
finished with a 433-257 advantage in total offense, including a
374-33 margin in rushing yardage, and enjoyed a 13-minute margin in
time of possession.
(John DeMarco, left, runs for a first-quarter gain against
Salve Regina. Photo Courtesy of Kevin Gray,
N.H. Union Leader.)
Campbell scored on PSU's first possession, capping an 11-play,
86-yard drive with his first TD of the day. The Panthers put
together another long drive in the second quarter (12 plays, 80
yards), with sophomore fullback Chris Francher
(Weare, N.H./John Stark) taking it into the end zone from one yard
out to put the home team ahead, 14-0.
Salve came back with its best drive of the day late in the second
quarter after blocking a Panther field goal attempt. The
Seahawks went 73 yards in 12 plays, with junior quarterback
Jeff St. Onge (Kingston, N.H./Central Catholic)
sneaking it in from one yard out with 38 seconds showing on the
second quarter clock. St. Onge ended up finishing the game 14-of-22
for 178 yards.
Sophomore Zach Parsons (Florence, Mass.)
intercepted a Salve pass early in the third quarter to give the
Panthers the ball near midfield, and Campbell scored for PSU six
plays later on a four-yard run. The Seahawks went
three-and-out on their next possession, and Campbell broke loose
for a 61-yard touchdown run to make it a 27-7 contest.
Campbell had a 22-yard burst early in the fourth quarter to bring
the ball down to Salve's three-yard line, and took it into the end
zone himself on the next play to round out the scoring.
The Panthers got another strong game from its defense, which leads
the NEFC in fewest yards and points allowed. Sophomore
Brian Castellucci (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton) led the
way with seven tackles, while junior Jim Sestito
(Foxborough, Mass.) made four tackles, including two sacks.
PSU will be seeking its 10th NEFC Championship, with the
first nine coming between 1981 and 1990. The Panthers are out
for their first conference title since sharing the Freedom Football
Conference championship in 2001.
The winner of next Saturday's NEFC title game will receive an
automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championship
Tournament. PSU has made three NCAA appearances - 1984,
1994 and 1995.
-- 30 --
