PSU handles Castleton

By rbrown
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Updated: September 2, 2017

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth State football team opened its season Saturday at home with a 31-7 victory over Castleton University. The team’s first win of the season saw junior quarterback Zack Edwards go 15-for-23 for 226 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Sophomore David Hamilton led Plymouth State on the ground, taking 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.

“This game was a win-win for us,” said head coach Paul Castonia. “I’m really happy with the win, but the guys know that there is still a lot to work on.”

Castleton quarterback Mitch Caron finished 15-for-33 with 151 yards and an interception.

Plymouth got on the board first when Edwards connected with sophomore Jacob Szulc for a 36-yard touchdown on a drive that covered 72 yards in six plays. PSU added to its lead in the second quarter when junior kicker Jeff Madden capped an eight-play, 73-yard drive with a 21-yard chip shot to make it 10-0.

The Panthers added another score when Edwards hooked up with Szulc for a 33-yard catch-and-run to make it a 17-0 advantage at the half.

It would take just over five minutes into the third quarter for Plymouth State to get on the board again, when Edwards connected with senior Chris Kelly on a 46-yard touchdown strike.

Castleton found the end zone with just under a minute left in the third. Adnane Adossana made four receptions in the 42-yard drive, with junior running back Moe Harris pounding in the ball from 4 yards out.

Plymouth responded again in the fourth quarter when Hamilton broke out for a 36-yard rush. Hamilton shook a pair of defenders inside the 40 and turned on the jets to end the 11-play, 81-yard drive and make it a 31-7 advantage for the Panthers.

Castleton threatened late in the fourth quarter, but sophomore Doug Arnold came up with an interception inside the PSU 15-yard line.

“Our defense really stood out,” Castonia said. “Their only score came on one of our turnovers, so I was really pleased with how well we controlled the game.”

Plymouth got strong performances from junior running back Mitch Banuskevich, Szulc, and Kelly, who combined for 269 of the 368 total yards. Banuskevitch tallied 49 yards on the ground and 69 through the air, all coming in the first half.

Madden was perfect on the game, knocking through all four extra points and the lone field goal.

Plymouth State 31, Castleton 7: Box Score