PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University scored 28 second-half points, including three touchdowns in a seven-minute span in the fourth quarter, to rally past Westfield State University, 28-17, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls found the end zone in each of the first two quarters to build a 14-0 halftime advantage. In the second half, the Panthers turned three takeaways into touchdowns before adding another score after forcing a turnover on downs. Freshman
Jimmy Nelson (Salem, N.H.) forced a fumble, and senior
Greg Berthiaume (North Attleborough, Mass.) recovered at the Westfield State 41-yard line. Nine plays later, freshman
Josh Phillips (Clinton, Mass.) punched it in from a yard out to cut the deficit to 14-7 entering the fourth quarter.
The Owls extended their lead with a short field goal early in the fourth. After a PSU three-and-out, freshman
Ricky Phom (Lowell, Mass.) intercepted an Owls pass near midfield and returned it to the Westfield State 9-yard line. Freshman
Drake Dumont (Scituate, R.I.) scored on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line to pull the Panthers within 17-14.
Junior
Christian McGarry (Amesbury, Mass.) recovered another Westfield State fumble on the ensuing drive, and freshman quarterback
Colton Lefebvre (Colchester, Vt.) connected with junior
Hunter Trueman (Rochester, N.H.) for a 39-yard touchdown on third-and-one to give PSU its first lead, 21-17.
Freshman
Daelon Bond-Streater (Meriden, Conn.) broke up a pass to force a turnover on downs on the Owls' next possession. Three plays later, sophomore
Jayden Graham (Rutland, Vt.) sealed the win with a 22-yard touchdown run.
Plymouth State improves to 3-3 (2-3 MASCAC), while Westfield State falls to 3-3 (3-2 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 28, Westfield State 17
- Plymouth State (3-3, 2-3 MASCAC)
- Westfield State (3-3, 3-2 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- After forcing a PSU punt, Westfield State capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead with 4:34 left in the first quarter.
- The Owls forced a fumble early in the second quarter, then doubled their lead with a 31-yard touchdown run on the next play to make it 14-0 with 13:28 remaining before halftime.
- Lefebvre found junior Matt Phillips (Clinton, Mass.) for a 44-yard gain on PSU's next play from scrimmage. Lefebvre and senior Beau Fellows (Topsfield, Mass.) then connected for an 11-yard gain on fourth-and-six to move the ball to the Westfield State 6-yard line, but the Owls made a goal-line stand to preserve their 14-0 halftime lead.
- Nelson forced a fumble, and Berthiaume recovered to give the Panthers good field position midway through the third quarter. Fellows hauled in a 10-yard reception to convert a third-and-long, and seven plays later, J. Phillips scored on a 1-yard run to pull within 14-7.
- Westfield State used a 53-yard pass to reach the PSU 5-yard line late in the third quarter, but sophomore Nate Pickup, Jr. (Fairhaven, Mass.) recorded a key sack as time expired. The Owls settled for a short field goal early in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 17-7.
- Phom intercepted a pass near midfield and returned it to the Westfield State 9-yard line. Four plays later, Dumont's 1-yard run cut the deficit to 17-14 with 8:11 remaining.
- Westfield State fumbled on the ensuing possession, and McGarry recovered at the PSU 42-yard line. Lefebvre found Trueman for a 39-yard touchdown to give the Panthers a 21-17 lead with 3:32 on the clock.
- Bond-Streater broke up a pass on fourth-and-10 to force a turnover on downs, and Graham ran up the left side for a 22-yard touchdown three plays later to seal the win.
By the Numbers:
- Lefebvre finished 6-of-16 for 126 yards and a touchdown.
- Graham ran for 52 yards and a score, while senior Reece Davis (Livermore, Maine) added 41 yards on the ground.
- Fellows caught five balls for 34 yards.
- Phom and junior Luke Beaulac (Fitchburg, Mass.) led the defense with five tackles apiece.
- Plymouth State recorded three takeaways, with each leading to a touchdown.
- The Panthers tied a season high with three sacks.
- Plymouth State has won nine straight meetings and leads the all-time series, 20-3.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Framingham State next Saturday (Oct. 31) for a noon matchup with the Rams.
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