PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) rushed for a career-high 132 yards, including a 50-yard TD run, and the Plymouth State University defense came away with four turnovers as the Panthers blanked Worcester State University, 35-0, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game on a rain-soaked Panther Field on Saturday.
Plymouth State scored on its opening possession and never looked back. Freshman
Jack Cataldi (Kennebunk, Maine) had a pair of interceptions, while junior
Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) and senior
Matteo Spadea (Weymouth, Mass.) each snagged fumble recoveries. Freshman
Beau Fellows (Topsfield, Mass.) got a finger on Worcester State's third-quarter field goal attempt, the visitors' best chance at points on the afternoon.
At halftime, Plymouth State officially dedicated the
Coach Lou Desloges Press Box in memory of the longtime Panthers' coach. Desloges spent over 30 years on the sidelines, including the most successful seven-year run in program history when he served as head coach from 1986-1992.
Plymouth State improves to 2-5 (2-3 MASCAC), while Worcester State slides to 1-6 (1-4 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 35, Worcester State 0
- Plymouth State (2-5, 2-3 MASCAC)
- Worcester State (1-6, 1-4 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State received the opening kickoff and marched down the field for an early score. Junior quarterback Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) used his feet to pick up a first down on third-and-7 and sophomore Shawn Harrington (South Weymouth, Mass.) pounded the ball in from a yard out for a quick 7-0 lead after 6:09 of play. The Panthers would carry the lead into the second quarter.
- PSU forced back-to-back turnovers on the Lancers' first two possessions of the second quarter. Freshman Robert Leveillee (Rumford, Maine) jarred the ball loose after making a tackle in the backfield and Wilson scooped up the bouncing ball. The offense was unable to convert, though.
- Cataldi made an athletic catch to pick off the WSU quarterback on the Lancers' ensuing possession, though, to set up Plymouth State with prime field position. Four plays later, Lynn lofted a perfect throw over the safety and graduate student Jake Donahue (Hudson, N.H.) made a twisting grab in the end zone for a 14-0 lead midway through the second.
- Lombard took a handoff at midfield, ran untouched up the middle, then cut back to the right sideline for a 50-yard touchdown run on PSU's next possession as the lead ballooned to 21-0 with just under seven minutes before halftime.
- Plymouth State got the ball back once more before the half expired. Lynn scampered for 16 yards on third-and-long and the Panthers took advantage of a face mask penalty to move into Worcester State territory with a minute remaining. Lynn connected with graduate student Bryan Warren (Pine Bush, N.Y.) to convert a fourth-and-3 and Warren got out of bounds to stop the clock. Two plays later, Lynn hooked up with senior Nikos Bouzakis (Farmington, Conn.) on a short pass. Bouzakis spun around a would-be tackler and stayed in bounds along the sideline to race in for another score and a 28-0 lead at the half.
- Worcester State put together a lengthy drive to open the third quarter, but a 42-yard field goal attempt was no good as Fellows got a finger on the kick. PSU followed with a three-and-out, but the Lancers, on second-and-1 from their own 30-yard line, mishandled a snap and Spadea alertly dove on the ball. Four plays later senior Tyler Kayo (Londonderry, N.H.) smashed through the line for a two-yard score and a 35-0 with 3:40 left in the frame.
- Cataldi tipped a Worcester State pass to himself for his second interception of the afternoon on the second play of the fourth quarter and Plymouth State iced the victory with a 16-play drive that chewed up more than 11 minutes off the clock.
By the Numbers:
- PSU finished with a season-high seven tackles for a loss, while the Panthers forced a season-best four turnovers.
- Lombard finished with 21 carries for a career-high 132 yards and a touchdown, as PSU amassed 243 yards on the ground with a 4.8 yards per carry average.
- Lynn went 7-of-17 for 81 yards and two TDs.
- Donahue snagged two balls for 34 yards and his third receiving touchdown, while Bouzakis' 20-yard TD catch was the first of his career.
- Wilson led the PSU defense with eight tackles (five solo), while Leveillee posted six tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, and a forced fumble.
- Cataldi added five tackles and a pass break up to his two interceptions.
- The Panthers converted 3-of-13 third downs and 6-of-8 fourth downs and scored touchdowns on three of four red zone possessions.
- Plymouth State improves to 10-3 against the Lancers, having won each of the last six meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hits the road for a league game at Westfield State next Saturday (Oct. 28) at noon.
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