PSU’s rally comes up short

By rbrown
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Updated: September 15, 2024

WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior Willie Lombard ran for 106 yards and a touchdown, but Worcester State University was able to hold off Plymouth State University, 27-21, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at John Coughlin Field on Saturday.

GAME STATISTICS

Plymouth State rallied from a 14-0 deficit, with Lombard scoring the Panthers’ first touchdown of the season early in the second quarter to pull within 14-7. The Lancers restored the two-score lead with a touchdown run of their own with 4:41 left before halftime, but PSU marched right back down the field and freshman quarterback Matt Phillips found sophomore Jacob Morris for his first collegiate passing touchdown to make it 21-14 at the half.

The Panthers received the second-half kickoff and quickly moved downfield with junior Gregory Walker charging 8 yards for the game-tying touchdown.

PSU had a chance to go in front early in the fourth quarter, but a field goal attempt drifted wide left. The Lancers capitalized with a 17-play, 80-yard scoring drive to take the lead, though sophomore Jonah Bassett, Jr. was able to block the extra point to make it 27-21. Plymouth State pushed the ball into WSU territory, but the Lancers’ defense came up with a stop on fourth-and-12 with 1:43 left to play and Worcester State was able to run out the clock.

Plymouth State starts the year at 0-1 (0-1 MASCAC), while Worcester State moves to 1-1 (1-0 MASCAC).

— Lombard finished with 106 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He also had a 27-yard reception and 138 yards on five kick returns.

— Phillips completed 5-of-13 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

— Junior Jack Milano (Pelham, N.H.) led all players with 17 tackles, including seven solo stops.

— Senior Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) recorded 11 tackles.

BENTLEY 3, SAINT ANSELM 0

MANCHESTER – Saint Anselm College dropped to 0-2 following a 3-0 lost to Bentley on Saturday afternoon at Grappone Stadium.

Saint Anselm held a 271-254 advantage in total yards of offense, but were held to 26 yards rushing.

GAME STATISTICS

Bentley scored the game’s only points when Mason Campbell kicked a 34-yard field goal in the first half.

Saint Anselm sophomore quarterback Drew Forkner completed 28 of his 45 passes attempts for 245 yards, but was intercepted three times. The game featured eight turnovers, five of which came on interceptions.

The Hawks went 4 for 16 on third down, and were 2 for 5 on fourth down.

Saint Anselm lineback Alejandro Santiago had a game-high 11 tackles.

ASSUMPTION 27, FRANKLIN PIERCE 7

RINDGE — The Franklin Pierce Football Team’s home opener at Sodexo Field is spoiled by the Assumption Greyhounds after a 27-7 defeat.

GAME STATISTICS

Assumption (1-1, 1-0 NE10) opened the scoring on Jamar Ballard’s 3-yard touchdown plunge. The Greyhounds pushed their lead to 10-0 before the end of the first quarter, as Massimo Sgambati hit a 38-yard field goal. The visiting Hounds struck once more before the halftime break, as Jay Kastantin hit Ethan Friberg for a 26-yard strike to go up 17-0.

Franklin Pierce (0-2, 0-1 NE10) got on the scoreboard at the beginning of the fourth quarter, as Adrian Parker found Trey Sejour for a 29-yard score. Assumption responded with a 32-yard field goal to go up 20-7 before Kameron Robbins scored on a 14-yard touchdown run to secure a 27-7 win.

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