FITCHBURG, Mass. – Senior
Reece Davis (Livermore, Maine) rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown and freshman
Daelon Bond-Streater (Meriden, Conn.) posted five tackles and a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown as Plymouth State University defeated Fitchburg State University, 31-13, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Elliot Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers took a first-quarter lead on a seven-yard touchdown reception by junior
Connor Adams (Moultonborough, N.H.), but the Falcons pulled even with 4:13 left in the second quarter. Freshman
Josh Phillips (Clinton, Mass.) scored his fifth touchdown of the year three minutes later to give Plymouth State a 14-7 halftime lead.
Davis broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to extend the margin to 21-7. In the fourth quarter, freshman
Ryan Bryant (Salem, N.H.) booted a 44-yard field goal before Bond-Streater picked off a Fitchburg State pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown to push the lead to 31-7 with just over a minute remaining.
The Falcons responded with a 75-yard touchdown run just 16 seconds later, but the hosts were unable to convert the two-point attempt and their ensuing onside kick went out of bounds as PSU secured the win.
Plymouth State improves to 4-4 (3-4 MASCAC), while Fitchburg State falls to 1-7 (1-6 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 31, Fitchburg State 13
- Plymouth State (4-4, 3-4 MASCAC)
- Fitchburg State (1-7, 1-6 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State forced a turnover on downs on the opening possession to take over at the Fitchburg State 41-yard line. Davis picked up 17 yards on the ground and freshman Colton Lefebvre (Colchester, Vt.) connected with senior Beau Fellows (Topsfield, Mass.) for an 18-yard gain to move the chains on third down. Three plays later, Lefebvre found Adams for a seven-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 6:19 left in the first quarter.
- The Falcons took advantage of an interception to tie the game late in the second quarter. Fitchburg State took over at the Plymouth State 34-yard line, gained 11 yards to convert a fourth-and-two, then ran it in from 15 yards out to make it 7-7 with 4:13 left in the half.
- Freshman Joey Donati (Pacifica, Calif.) returned the ensuing kickoff 28 yards to the Fitchburg State 46-yard line. Davis rushed for a 15-yard gain and sophomore Jayden Graham (Rutland, Vt.) added 13 yards on the ground to get the ball inside the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Phillips punched it in from three yards out to give PSU a 14-7 lead at halftime.
- Senior Tyler Holcomb (Coventry, Conn.) recorded a five-yard sack on fourth-and-seven to end a Fitchburg State drive late in the third quarter. Graham and Davis then combined for four carries, capped by Davis' 36-yard touchdown run to extend the margin to 21-7 with just over two minutes left in the frame.
- Bryant extended the lead with a 44-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
- The teams traded punts before Bond-Streater picked off a pass attempt and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-7 with just 1:22 left to play.
- Fitchburg State broke free for a 75-yard rushing touchdown on the next play from scrimmage, but the Falcons were unable to convert the two-point attempt and their ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, allowing the Panthers to run out the clock.
By the Numbers:
- Davis finished with 17 carries for 108 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
- Graham added 82 yards rushing.
- Phillips scored his team-leading fifth touchdown.
- Senior Aidan Fritz (Colchester, Conn.) and junior Hunter Burke (Pembroke, Mass.) posted nine tackles apiece. Fritz also forced a fumble.
- Bond-Streater made five tackles and added a 42-yard pick-six.
- Holcomb and senior TJ Taveras (Rochester, N.H.) each recorded a sack.
- Plymouth State has won each of the last ten meetings and leads the all-time series, 15-3.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns home for a Senior Day matchup against the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Saturday (Nov. 14). Kickoff for the season finale is set for noon.
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