Lombard, PSU run to victory

By rbrown
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Updated: September 22, 2024

PLYMOUTH – Senior Willie Lombard scored two of second-half touchdowns and Plymouth State University forced three turnovers to rally past Bridgewater State University, 17-14, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.

GAME STATISTICS

The Bears held a 14-3 lead at halftime and were driving on the opening series of the second half, but Plymouth State forced a fumble to take over at its own 36-yard line and Lombard cut into the deficit by capping the ensuing drive with a 23-yard TD run.

Bridgewater State botched a snap on a punt deep in its own territory to start the fourth quarter. The Bears’ kicker recovered and made a desperation heave that landed at the 10-yard line, resulting in a turnover on downs and the Panthers needed just four plays to take advantage as Lombard found the end zone again to give Plymouth State a 17-14 lead.

The Bears had a chance to tie on the ensuing drive, but a field goal try sailed wide left. After the PSU offense stalled out, the Panthers’ defense held its ground to force a turnover on downs and Plymouth State was able to run out the final three minutes to pick up the win.

Plymouth State evens its record at 1-1 (1-1 MASCAC), while the Bears move to 0-3 (0-2 MASCAC).

Dartmouth 45, Fordham 13

Jackson Proctor threw for two touchdowns, one to Q Jones, who also had a rushing score, and Dartmouth opened its season with a 45-13 win over Fordham on Saturday.

GAME STATISTICS

The Big Green took a 24-0 at the half with Jones scoring both of his touchdowns in the first quarter. Jones capped the first drive of the game with a 40-yard burst up the middle, and capped an 86-yard drive by catching a 19-yard TD pass from Proctor. Jones ran for 86 yards.

Proctor, who was 14-of-18 passing for 185 yards and an interception, also found Chris Corbo for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Special teams pushed the lead to 31-0 early in the second half when Jordan Washington scooped up the ball after a blocked field goal and raced to the end zone. D.J. Crowther and Grayson Saunier added TD runs for Dartmouth, which had 233 yards on the ground.

Jack Capaldi was 23 of 43 passing for Fordham (0-4) with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Cole Thornton.

Saint Anselm 37, AIC 20

Sophomore Anthony Almeida and freshman Jake Croce each rushed for two touchdowns in their second career games as the Saint Anselm picked up its first win of the season by beating AIC on the road.

GAME STATISTICS

Saint Anselm quarterback Drew Forkner completed 24 of his 37 pass attempts for 190 yards and tossed his first passing touchdown of the season. American International quarterback Cephas Williams went 14-for-25 through the air for 166 yards, one touchdown pass, and two interceptions.

Croce led the way for the Hawks on the ground with 94 rushing yards on eight carries, good for 11.8 yards per rush. Almeida ran for 59 yards on seven attempts.

New Haven 45, Franklin Pierce 34

GAME STATISTICS

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