PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) amassed 260 all-purpose yards and scored a pair of touchdowns, but Framingham State University spoiled Plymouth State University's Homecoming celebration with a 24-14 win over the Panthers at Panther Field on Saturday.
Framingham State marched downfield on the opening possession, converting a fourth-and-nine during the drive, to take the lead midway through the first quarter. Plymouth State answered right back as junior
Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) completed four passes, including a 20-yard TD pass to Lombard, to tie the game.
The Rams responded in kind, again using a fourth-down conversion as part of a touchdown-scoring drive to go back in front with just seven seconds left in the frame.
The visitors extended the margin with a second quarter TD and third quarter field goal to push the lead to 24-7, but Plymouth State attempted to mount a comeback.
Lombard hauled in a short pass and raced 30-yards to the end zone just 93 seconds into the fourth quarter to make it a 10-piont game and Plymouth State recovered the ensuing onside kick, but the Framingham State defense came up with a big play on third down to thwart the Panthers' rally.
PSU honored its 2022-23 Department Award winners during a halftime ceremony, while Plymouth State alumnus and Boston Bruins anthem singer Todd Angilly '99 excited the home crowd with a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
Plymouth State slips to 0-4 (0-2 MASCAC), while Rams move to 2-2 and 2-1 in MASCAC play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 14, Framingham State 24
- Plymouth State (0-4, 0-2 MASCAC)
- Framingham State (2-2, 2-1 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Framingham State overcame a pair of offensive holding penalties and a third-and-21 to score on the game's opening possession, using 12 plays to cover 75 yards before a one-yard TD run midway through the quarter made it 7-0.
- Lynn answered right back, connecting with graduate students Jake Donahue (Hudson, N.H.) for 18 yards and Bryan Warren (Pine Bush, N.Y.) for another 23 yards to move deep into Framingham State territory. Four plays later, Lombard snagged a short pass and scampered through the defense for a 20-yard score to tie the game with just under five minutes remaining in the quarter.
- The Rams answered back with another long drive, going 63 yards in 4:35 to go back in front. The key play came on fourth-and-four from the PSU 11-yard line, when the running back burst through the line for a seven-yard gain and the visitors maintained a 14-7 lead after one.
- The Framingham State defense came up with a key third down stop to force a PSU punt, before the visitors used a 55-yard rush as part of a 75-yard drive to extend the margin to 21-7 with 9:04 left in the half.
- Neither team was able to add points to the board the rest of the frame as the Rams took the two-score lead into the break.
- Lombard opened the second half with a 42-yard return to give Plymouth State great field position, but the Panthers were stuffed on fourth-and-one at the Framingham State 27-yard line. The teams traded field position, until the Rams were able to convert a 25-yard field goal to make it 24-7 with less than two minutes left in the third.
- Lynn used his feet to rush for a first down early in the fourth quarter and, on the next play from scrimmage, Lynn connected with Lombard on another short pass, with Lombard dodging through would-be tacklers for a 30-yard TD to cut the deficit to 24-14.
- Plymouth State was able to catch the Rams off guard, recovering an onside kick at midfield, but Framingham State came up with a key sack on third down.
- After forcing a three-and-out, PSU attempted to build the momentum with a drive-starting 22-yard completion to senior Jon Proia (North Chelmsford, Mass.). The Panthers were able to push the ball to the Framingham State 19-yard line, but a field goal attempt to make it a one-score game drifted wide left and Framingham State would hold on for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Lombard finished with 260 all-purpose yards behind 16 carries for 48 yards, three catches for 60 yards and two scores and 152 kick return yards. He leads the Panthers with four touchdowns on the year.
- Lynn finished 14-of-28 for 189 yards with two scores.
- Senior Kyle Baker (Pelham, N.H.) hauled in a team-best four catches for 33 yards, while Donahue finished with three catches for 39 yards.
- Junior Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) led all players with 14 tackles, including seven solo and three for a loss. He added a pass breakup.
- Senior Luc Normandeau (Dover, N.H.) and junior Gustavo Regalado (Lawrence, Mass.) had nine and six tackles, with five solo stops apiece.
- Lombard averaged better than 30 yards per kickoff return.
- Framingham State held the time of possession advantage by a 34:13 to 25:47 margin.
- The Rams hold a 7-4 advantage in the series and have won three of the last four matchups.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads on the road to visit WestConn next Saturday (Oct. 7). The MASCAC clash with the Wolves is set for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.
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