PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Willie Lombard (Bridgewater, Mass.) scored a pair of second half touchdowns and Plymouth State University forced three turnovers to rally past Bridgewater State University, 17-14, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Bears held a 14-3 lead at halftime and were driving on the opening series of the second half, but Plymouth State forced a fumble to take over at its own 36-yard line and Lombard cut into the deficit by capping the ensuing drive with a 23-yard TD run.
Bridgewater State botched a snap on a punt deep in its own territory to start the fourth quarter. The Bears' kicker recovered and made a desperation heave that landed at the 10-yard line, resulting in a turnover on downs and the Panthers needed just four plays to take advantage as Lombard found the end zone again to give Plymouth State a 17-14 lead.
The Bears had a chance to tie on the ensuing drive, but a field goal try sailed wide left. After the PSU offense stalled out, the Panthers' defense held its ground to force a turnover on downs and Plymouth State was able to run out the final three minutes to pick up the win.
Plymouth State honored its 2023-24 NCAA Championship participants in a brief halftime ceremony – men's track & field middle distance runner
Mike Olson, men's alpine skier
Max Haussmann, and the men's ice hockey and men's and women's lacrosse teams.
Plymouth State evens its record at 1-1 (1-1 MASCAC), while the Bears move to 0-3 (0-2 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 17, Bridgewater State 14
- Plymouth State (1-1, 1-1 MASCAC)
- Bridgewater State (0-3, 0-2 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- After the Panthers went three-and-out to start the game, sophomore Jonah Bassett, Jr. (Rutland, Vt.) made a great play on a third-and-long, leaping high to haul in an interception along the sideline at the 10-yard line to get the ball back.
- PSU was unable to get any momentum, though, and was forced to punt again. The Bears used a 32-yard return to set up great field position and four plays later a run up the middle gave the visitors a 7-0 lead.
- Plymouth State followed with a lengthy drive that chewed up more than nine minutes. The Panthers pushed the ball to the BSU 3-yard line, but the Bears' defense made a big stop in the backfield on third-and-one. Senior Seth DiSalvo (North Andover, Mass.) split the uprights on his 22-yard field goal try to cut the margin to 7-3.
- The visitors attempted to answer back, but sophomore TJ Taveras (Rochester, N.H.) burst through the line to block a 42-yard field goal try. PSU's offense was unable to take advantage, though, and the Bears took over with 6:24 left in the half.
- Bridgewater State pounded the ball down the field with nine straight runs and a 28-yard run to the end zone extended the lead to 14-3 at the half.
- BSU received the second half kickoff and patiently moved the ball into Plymouth State territory, but sophomore Ryan Fleming (Boxborough, Mass.) was able to knock the ball free and freshman Robbie Engel (Topsfield, Mass.) dove on the loose ball as the Panthers recovered.
- Lombard ripped off a 10-yard run to jumpstart the ensuing drive and senior Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) completed back-to-back passes to junior Mitchell Cripps (Dracut, Mass.) before Lombard found the edge around the right side for a 23-yard touchdown run to make it 14-10 with 5:14 left in the third quarter.
- Taveras ripped the ball free and senior Mikey Levesque (Manchester, N.H.) recovered to end the Bears' next possession but Plymouth State could not capitalize.
- Taveras made a key stop on third-and-two to stop the ensuing Bridgewater State drive as the third quarter expired. The Bears were set to punt on the first play of the fourth quarter, but the ball slipped through the punter's hands. With sophomore Robert Leveillee (Rumford, Maine) applying the pressure, the BSU punter made a last-ditched effort to toss the ball down field, but the attempt landed untouched, and the Panthers took over on downs.
- PSU took advantage of the short field and four plays later Lombard's five-yard burst to the end zone gave the Panthers the lead, 17-14.
- Bridgewater State moved the ball well on its next possession, covering 59 yards in 12 plays, but PSU's defense held strong, and the game-tying field goal try drifted left of the uprights.
- Plymouth State was able to milk 3:30 off the clock on the next possession before punting the ball away. The Panthers' defense did not surrender a first down to get the ball back with just 3:02 remaining. Lynn used a hard count on fourth-and-one to draw the Bears offsides and extend the ensuing drive, before PSU ran out the clock for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Lombard topped the century mark for the second straight week, this time going for 111 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns.
- Lynn was 8-of-14 for 70 yards, with Cripps leading the receivers with three catches for 24 yards.
- Engel led all players with 13 tackles, including six solo stops. Senior Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) added 11 tackles, while junior Jack Milano (Pelham, N.H.) made a game-high eight solo tackles.
- Plymouth State blocked a field goal for the second consecutive week.
- Bridgewater State outgained the Panthers' offense, 352-184, but Plymouth State won the turnover battle, 3-0.
- The Bears committed ten penalties for 92 yards, while PSU was flagged just twice.
- PSU held a slight edge in time of possession, 31:32 to 28:28.
- Plymouth State maintains a slight 20-17-1 edge in the all-time series. The Panthers have won the last three home games in the matchup.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State travels to Massachusetts Maritime Academy for another MASCAC clash on Saturday (Sept. 28). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
– 30 –
