PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Jacob Morris (Kennebunk, Maine) caught a 2-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left to lift Plymouth State University past Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 14-10, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Panther Field on Homecoming Saturday.
The Buccaneers went ahead, 10-7, on a 32-yard field goal with 4:43 remaining and forced a fumble on PSU's next possession, but the Panthers' defense came up big with a turnover on downs to regain the ball at their own 31-yard line with 1:52 to play.
Facing fourth-and-10, graduate quarterback
Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) found sophomore
Devin Connally (Boynton Beach, Fla.) for 28 yards to keep the drive alive. Freshman
Reece Davis (Livermore, Maine) added a 16-yard grab to convert a third-and-10, and freshman
Jayden Graham (Rutland, Vt.) turned a short pass into a 19-yard gain to the 2-yard line. Lynn then connected with Morris over the middle for the go-ahead score. Junior
Greg Berthiaume (North Attleboro, Mass.) sealed the win with an interception on MMA's final desperation heave down the right side.
At halftime of the Homecoming contest, Plymouth State recognized its 2024-25 Athletics Department Award winners and honored the classes of 1975 and 1985 celebrating milestone reunions.
Plymouth State (4-0, 3-0 MASCAC) is off to its best league start since joining the conference in 2013. Mass. Maritime falls to 1-3 (1-2 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 14, Mass. Maritime 10
- Plymouth State (4-0, 3-0 MASCAC)
- Mass. Maritime (1-3, 1-2 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- The teams traded punts through the first 10 drives as neither offense found a rhythm.
- Late in the second quarter, junior Aidan Fritz (Colchester, Conn.) forced a fumble that Berthiaume recovered to end the Bucs' longest drive of the half and keep the game scoreless into the break.
- Plymouth State fumbled on the first play of the third quarter, and Mass. Maritime capitalized with a 22-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead.
- Davis broke free for a 46-yard run on the next drive. Facing fourth-and-2 at the 22, Lynn hit Connally for 7 yards, and Davis capped the possession with a 1-yard score to tie the game.
- MMA fumbled on its next drive but held PSU on downs to keep it even.
- The Bucs regained the lead with a 15-play, 52-yard drive capped by a 32-yard field goal with 4:43 left.
- After forcing another fumble, MMA had a chance to close it out, but the Panthers' defense forced a quick three-and-out to set up the winning drive.
- Lynn converted a fourth-and-10, and two third-and-longs on the final drive, capped by Morris' game-winner. Berthiaume intercepted the Bucs' desperation heave to end it.
By the Numbers:
- Lynn finished 14-of-27 for 126 yards and a TD.
- Davis ran 10 times for 77 yards and a score, and added 23 receiving yards.
- Senior Mitchell Cripps (Dracut, Mass.) led PSU with four catches for 42 yards; Connally had three for 37.
- Fritz and junior Khari Whitehead (Manchester, N.H.) each posted eight tackles, with Fritz forcing a fumble.
- Berthiaume had a fumble recovery and an interception.
- The teams combined for 12 punts.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 19-9.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Dean College on Saturday (Oct. 4) for a noon kickoff.
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