Fitchburg State Roars Past Plymouth State, 33-22

Saint-Juste sets new career TD receptions mark in Falcons MASCAC victory

PLYMOUTH, N.H. -  Fitchburg State University scored 19 unanswered points in the second half Saturday afternoon, propelling the Falcons past Plymouth State University 33-22 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) season finale for both teams at Currier Field.

With the victory, the Falcons concluded their 2014 campaign with an overall record of 6-4 and 4-4 clip in the MASCAC. Plymouth State wraps up its season with a 1-9 mark and 0-8 league record. 

Quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie completed 22-of-27 passes for 285 yard and five touchdowns to lead the Falcons while wide receiver Phillip Saint-Juste hauled in nine Dellechiaie throws for 71 yards and two scores to set a new Fitchburg State career TD receptions record (19) to surpass the previous mark of 17 held by former Falcons standout receiver Carlos De La Rosa in 2007.

Plymouth State took a 14-13 lead early in the third quarter when Mark Hennessy caught a 19-yard scoring strike from quarterback Drew Bolton and then a successful PAT by senior Rob Giles.

PSU's lead was short-lived however as Fitchburg retook the lead for good on its ensuing possession.  Dellechiaie found Shane McCloskey with a 26-yard touchdown pass finishing a five-play 68-yard drive that took only 2:09.  That score was set up by 32-yard pass completion to Devin Summiel.

Dellechiaie then found Trayvon Neal with a 23-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter that put the visitors up 26-14 heading into the final frame.

The Falcons scored on the game's first possession when Dellechiaie marched his team on a 5-play 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a nine- yard scoring pass to Sainte-Juste.  FSU went up 13-0 early in the second quarter when Dellechiaie found Summiel for his second touchdown pass of the day.

Plymouth State found some life mid-way through the second, breaking into the scoring column after Paul Norton rumbled in from a yard out.  The Panthers then recovered a surprising onside kick but could not capitalize on the momentum swing.

Bolton gave Panther fans one more thing to cheer about when he hit freshman wide receiver Jake Becker with a 70-yard scoring bomb late in the game. FSU was able to run out the remaining 1:33 and record the victory. 

Junior Kihliefa Best led the Falcons on the ground, running for 69 yards on 10 carries while Summiel finished with eight catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Talib Barksdale was a force on defense for the Falcons, recording 10 tackles and a sack.

Plymouth State was led offensively by Hennessy's 77 yards on the ground, while Bolton completed 11-of-21 passes for two scores.  Becker led the Panthers receiving core with five catches for 105 yards and one score.

Courtesy of Plymouth State Sports Information

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