Falcons Upended By Panthers, 42-0

Turner registers first collegiate sack in conference setaback

Plymouth, N.H.– The Fitchburg State University football team dropped a 42-0 decision to the Panthers of Plymouth State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from Currier Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Plymouth State 42

Records: Fitchburg State (1-4, 0-3 MASCAC) | Plymouth State (4-1, 2-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Plymouth State broke a 0-0 stalemate with 4:50 remaining in the first half as senior Nick Lancia (Bedford, N.Y) plunged in from four-yards out to cap a six-play, 38 yard drive for the 7-0 edge. The Panthers doubled their margin with just under two minutes remaining in the second stanza when sophomore Brett Lavanchy (Walpole, Mass.) found junior Terrell Lewis (New Boston, N.H.) with a 70 yard strike to make the score 14-0 going into the break.

Following the intermission, Plymouth State upped its lead early in the third quarter as Lavanchy hooked up with Lewis again, this time with a 24-yard strike (21-0). The hosts extended their advantage minutes later with senior defensive back Matt Shea (Atkinson, N.H.) returning an intermission 40 yards for the 28-0 lead.

The Panthers would tack on two more scores in the fourth quarter, resulting in the 42-0 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marks 12th meeting between the two squads on the gridiron with the Falcons 3-9 all-time when taking on the Panthers

Plymouth State has won the last four matchups with Fitchburg State, including a 28-0 decision last season at Elliot Field

Offensively for the Falcons, senior Connor Fitzsimons (Flushing, N.Y.) finished 25-for-45 for 190 yards, while sophomore Steven Lawton (Ayer, Mass.) rushed for a team-best 78 yards on ten carries

Senior Jesse Brown (Yonkers, N.Y.) hauled in six passes for 53 yards, while freshman Gouabi Pires (Brockton, Mass.) added his first three collegiate receptions for 49 yards

For the Panthers, Lavanchy finished 11-of-21 with 191 yards and three TD's, while Lewis grabbed three passes for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns

Defensively, junior Richard Austin (Wareham, Mass.) tallied a team-best six tackles on nine solo six solo stops, while junior Caleb Gonsalves (Mashpee, Mass.) chipped in with five solo tackles and one forced fumble

Sophomore Jahvon Turner (Springfield, Mass.) added his first sack for the Green and Gold

Plymouth State was paced by Shea with eight tackles on one solo stop and seven assisted tackles as well as a pair of interceptions, while junior Matt Tosone (Walpole, Mass.) added six tackles on two solo tackles and four assisted stops

Up Next

Falcons will host the Rams of Framingham State next Saturday for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 12:00 PM. Panthers will travel to Westfield State on the same date for a conference tilt at 12:00 PM.