Box Score (Box
Score)
PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Junior quarterback J.J.
Brooks (Seabrook, N.H./Winnacunnet) ran for a touchdown
with 1:27 remaining in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon,
capping a 21-point rally as Plymouth State University came from
behind to defeat Endicott College, 31-28, in a New England Football
Conference Boyd Division contest at Currier Field.
Endicott led most of the game, and held a 28-10 advantage with
three minutes left in the third quarter, but Brooks hit junior
John Creamer (Abington, Mass.) with a dramatic
32-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left in the quarter and
then ran for two fourth-quarter scores to help PSU pull out the
win. PSU extended its winning streak to five games, improving
to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the NEFC Boyd Division, while the
upset-minded Gulls fall to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the division.
The Panthers extended their Boyd Division regular season winning
streak to 12 games, dating back to 2007. PSU also captured
its 15th consecutive home victory, dating back to 2006.
Creamer enjoyed a career game for the Panthers, catching nine
passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He had 11 receptions
for 143 yards and three scores on the season coming into the game.
PSU also got 91 yards on 16 carries from freshman Ty
Long (Dover, N.H.), while Brooks rushed for 73 yards on 18
carries with two touchdowns. Brooks also threw a season-high
27 passes, completing 13 for 237 yards and two scores.
Endicott, which rushed for 229 yards, got 127 yards on 15 carries
from sophomore Mike Lane (Medfield, Mass.) and 81 yards on 14
carries from senior Colby Hawkins (Scituate, Mass.), with each
rushing for one touchdown.
The Gulls jumped on top when Lane ran 73 yards for a touchdown on
the first play of Endicott's second possession. PSU answered
on the ensuing possession, with Brooks hitting Creamer on a 30-yard
scoring play to tie the game at 7-7. Endicott came right back
with a nine-play drive, taking a 14-7 lead when sophomore
quarterback Phil Konopka (Shelton, Conn.) connected with sophomore
Mike Fimiani (Melrose, Mass.) on a 23-yard TD pass.
Plymouth State pulled to within 14-10 midway through the second
quarter when sophomore Christian Mulcahy (Norwich,
Conn.) kicked a 28-yard field goal, but Endicott responded four
plays later when Hawkins rushed for a six-yard TD to make it a
21-10 Gulls lead at halftime.
Endicott continued to maintain control in the third quarter. Junior
PJ Bay (Darien, Conn.) intercepted the football and returned it 26
yards, setting up another Gulls touchdown. Konopka connected with
junior Neil Powers (Westford, Mass.) on a 24-yard scoring strike to
put the Gulls up, 28-10, with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter.
That's when PSU went to work. Brooks led the team on an eight-play
drive before the end of the quarter, and the momentum changed when
Brooks threw to Creamer in the end zone. Creamer out-jumped
three defenders to snare the ball and pull down the pass, pulling
PSU to within 28-17 entering the fourth quarter.
After the Panther defense held, Brooks led the team on an 11-play
drive and finished it off with a three-yard plunge to make it
28-23. A two-point conversion attempt failed, but eight
minutes remained on the clock.
With momentum in favor of the Panthers, Endicott went
three-and-out, and PSU got the ball back at its own 44 with 6:49 to
play. Brooks again engineered an 11-play drive, and again
capped it with a five-yard TD run with 1:27 remaining. Brooks
also connected with tight end Aaron Getz
(Palmerton, Pa.) for the two-point conversion.
Endicott had one last chance in the final 1:27, and drove 45 yards
in nine plays, but a potential game-tying 39-yard field goal with
12 seconds remaining was wide right.
PSU is home again next Saturday against Nichols College (1:00
p.m.), while Endicott travels to Curry (1:00 p.m.)
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