PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Graduate quarterback
Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, and the Plymouth State University defense stopped a potential game-tying two-point conversion as the Panthers held off Framingham State University, 28-26, in a key Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Panther Field on Saturday.
In a game with major postseason implications, PSU built a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter before the Rams rallied with three scoring drives. A missed extra point left PSU in front, 21-20, with just over four minutes remaining.
Facing third-and-six from his own 34-yard line with three minutes left, Lynn faked a handoff and sprinted untouched up the right sideline to push the lead to 28-20.
Framingham State answered with a 60-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass with 33 seconds to play, but the two-point attempt – a fade to the left corner – fell incomplete. The Rams nearly recovered the ensuing onside kick before freshman
Tyrese Ryder (Ossipee, N.H.) secured the ball to preserve the win.
Plymouth State improved to 7-1 (6-1 MASCAC), remaining tied with Anna Maria atop the conference standings. Framingham State fell to 5-3 (5-2 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 28, Framingham State 26
- Plymouth State (7-1, 6-1 MASCAC)
- Framingham State (5-3, 5-2 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Junior Greg Berthiaume (North Attleborough, Mass.) forced a fumble on the Rams' first play from scrimmage. Graduate student Gregory Walker (Boxford, Mass.) carried six straight times, aided by a fourth-and-one penalty, to score from three yards out for an early lead. The extra point was blocked.
- Framingham State drove to the PSU 5-yard line, but sophomore Ben Brown (York, Maine) broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone.
- Walker ripped off a 22-yard run, and Lynn hit junior Jacob Morris (Kennebunk, Maine) for 11 yards to convert a fourth-and-eight. Senior Shawn Harrington (South Weymouth, Mass.) punched it in from a yard out to make it 13-0 early in the second quarter.
- Plymouth State opened the second half with a 64-yard, eight-play drive capped by a 13-yard touchdown reception by Morris. A successful two-point conversion extended the margin to 21-0.
- The Rams answered with a seven-play, 59-yard drive ending in a 23-yard touchdown catch to cut the deficit to 21-7 with 6:35 left in the third.
- After forcing a three-and-out, Framingham State drove 56 yards in 11 plays to make it 21-14 early in the fourth.
- The Rams' defense forced another stop and scored on a one-yard run five plays after converting a fourth-and-10. The extra point missed, leaving PSU ahead 21-20.
- On the next possession, Lynn broke loose for his 66-yard touchdown run to make it 28-20 with 2:38 remaining.
- Framingham State scored again on a nine-yard pass with 33 seconds left but failed on the two-point try.
- Ryder recovered the onside kick, and PSU ran out the clock for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Walker finished with 132 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Lynn went 6-for-7 for 48 yards and a touchdown through the air and added 63 yards and another score on the ground.
- Morris hauled in his fourth touchdown reception of the season.
- PSU outgained Framingham State on the ground, 221-51.
- Junior Aidan Fritz (Colchester, Conn.) posted game highs of 14 tackles and 10 solo tackles, plus two pass breakups.
- Sophomore Jacob Daigle (North Haven, Conn.) added 1.5 sacks among his five tackles.
- Plymouth State improved to 15-10 in the all-time series. The win was PSU's first at home over Framingham State since 2017 – the year the Panthers last won the MASCAC title and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Fitchburg State for Senior Day next Saturday (Nov. 8) at noon.
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