DANBURY, Conn. – Junior
Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) ran for a career-high 117 yards and two touchdowns, but Western Connecticut State University amassed over 500 yards of total offense to top Plymouth State University, 55-20, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game at Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Things started well for the Panthers after forcing back-to-back punts on WestConn's first two drives. Senior
Nikos Bouzakis (Farmington, Conn.) got through the line to block the Wolves' first punt, but PSU was unable to get points on the board despite the good field position.
Plymouth State took advantage of its second offensive possession, though, with graduate student
Jake Donahue (Hudson, N.H.) catching a short pass on third-and-four and blazing up the left sideline for 21 yards. A WestConn penalty helped push the ball further down field and Lombard pounded the ball in from two yards out for a 7-0 lead with 5:05 left in the first.
The Wolves came right back to tie the game on the ensuing drive and a botched extra point left PSU in front, 7-6, after one.
WestConn extended the momentum into the second quarter, finding the end zone on all three of its possessions to lead 27-7 at the half.
Plymouth State immediately cut into the margin to start the third quarter, as Lombard bounced a carry outside and outraced the WestConn defense down the left sideline for a 65-yard TD run just 18 seconds into the frame.
The Wolves responded in kind, scoring touchdowns on back-to-back drives before adding a defensive score as the lead grew to 48-14.
Senior
Kyle Baker (Pelham, N.H.) got behind the defense on a go-route and hauled in a long pass from junior
Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) for a 68-yard touchdown, but the hosts answered with a long TD throw on the next possession and neither team would find points in the fourth quarter.
Plymouth State dips to 0-5 (0-3 MASCAC), while WestConn improves to 3-2 and 3-1 in the MASCAC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 20, WestConn 55
- Plymouth State (0-5, 0-3 MASCAC)
- WestConn (3-2, 3-1 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Junior Josh Crosswhite (Littleton, Mass.) made three tackles on the opening drive to help force a fourth-and-six near midfield. Bouzakis burst through the line to block the punt, which rolled out of bounds at the WestConn 28-yard line.
- The Wolves' defense came up with two big plays on third-and-short to force a turnover on downs, though, as PSU was unable to get points on the board.
- Junior Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) had a pair of tackles for a loss, including a two-yard sack, as Plymouth State forced another WestConn punt.
- Lynn connected with Donahue on a quick out pattern and Donahue raced up the sideline for a 21-yard gain on third-and-four to get the drive going. The duo connected again on third-and-nine and, aided by a Wolves' pass interference penalty, PSU moved into the red zone. Lombard did the work from there, rushing the ball four straight times and finding the end zone from two yards out.
- WestConn struck right back, using a 41-yard gain through the air on the very next play, before getting on the board with a four-yard run. The hosts missed the point after, though, as Plymouth State remained ahead, 7-6, after one.
- The Wolves' offense came out firing on all cylinders in the second quarter, scoring on three straight drives to jump ahead, 27-7.
- After an incompletion to open the second half, Lombard took an inside handoff and bounced it to the left sideline where he outran the WestConn secondary for a 65-yard TD run to make it 27-14.
- The Wolves struck right back with consecutive TD drives, and a defensive score pushed the deficit to 48-14.
- Baker raced up the right sideline on a go-route and Lynn delivered a perfect ball, as Baker made the catch in stride and ran all the way to the end zone for a 68-yard score, but again the hosts fired right back with another score for the 55-20 edge.
- Neither team would add to its total in the fourth quarter as the Wolves held on for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Lombard finished with 18 carries for 117 yards and two scores. He crossed the 100-yard rushing threshold for the second time this season and third time in his career. He added one catch for 16 yards and 60 return yards for 193 all-purpose yards.
- Baker's 68-yard TD grab was the longest receiving touchdown of the season. Donahue hauled in two balls for 32 yards.
- Lynn finished 5-of-12 for 122 yards and a touchdown.
- Freshman Robert Leveillee (Rumford, Maine) and sophomore Seamus Murphy (Norwich, Vt.) shared the team lead with seven tackles apiece.
- Crosswhite added six tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, while Wilson chipped in six tackles (five solo), three tackles for a loss and the Panthers' only sack.
- Each of the previous six meetings had resulted in one-score games.
- The Wolves improve to 15-9 in head-to-head competitions dating back to 1992.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State welcomes Fitchburg State to Panther Field for a MASCAC clash next Saturday (Oct. 14). Kickoff is set for noon.
– 30 –
