Springfield Runs Down Panther Football, 33-13

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth State University Football team couldn’t overcome the odds last Saturday, as Springfield College defeated the Panthers 33-13 in a soggy showdown at Currier Field. The Pride used their strong running game to plow through the Panthers’ defense, rushing for 361 of their 381 total yards. Freshman Andrew Jackson carried 19 times for Springfield, rushing for 75 yards and three touchdowns, while junior Tim Brouillard carried 17 times for a total of 128 yards. Plymouth State produced only 165 yards of offense as they fall to 2-5, while Springfield improves to 2-4.Tough weather conditions made it difficult for either side to keep control of the ball. Springfield tried for a fourth down conversion in the first quarter, only to fumble and lose the ball to Panther junior Tim Butler. The Pride fared no better on their next drive, running for two first downs before fumbling again, with freshman Justin Jarvis giving possession back to Plymouth State.The Panthers had their own misfortunes as well, but theirs proved more costly. Plymouth State had the ball deep in their own territory when a fumble ended up in the hands of Pride senior Tom Shruman. Jackson then rushed for eight yards, and senior Ryan Boyd converted the extra point to give Springfield the 7-0 lead.The Pride got another opportunity late in the first when the Panthers fumbled again, this time giving up the ball to junior Andrew Madigan. Springfield drove the ball towards the red-zone and threatened another touchdown, but junior defensive back Dwight Hazelwood made a crucial play for Plymouth State, swatting a pass from quarterback Chris Sharpe on third down to quell the scoring attempt. It was still 7-0 midway through the second quarter when Springfield struck again. The Pride fought their way down to the 1-yard line, where Jackson again drove through the Panther defense to extend Springfield’s lead to 14-0. Penalties hurt Springfield late into the second quarter as the Panthers threatened to put themselves on the board, but a sack on senior quarterback Jimi Lampron led to a huge loss for Plymouth State. The Panthers never recovered and were eventually forced to punt.The Panthers redeemed themselves later in the quarter off another fumble recovery, this time from junior linebacker Ryan Puck. After a strong drive, Lampron connected with sophomore fullback John DeMarco for a touchdown, cutting the Pride’s lead to 14-7. Springfield answered with a touchdown off quarterback Chris Sharpe’s 1-yard sneak, but a failed extra-point attempt left it at 20-7 in favor of the Pride at the half.The second half started no better for Plymouth State. The Panthers came up empty-handed on offense throughout the third quarter, while the Pride running game began to baffle the hosts’ defense. The Panthers surrendered another touchdown to Jackson for the only score of the quarter, putting Springfield up 26-7 after a failed two-point conversion. The Panthers got an opportunity of their own later on in the third, but their drive was cut short after an interception by Pride junior defensive back Kevin Fessette.The Springfield running game continued to keep the Panther defense on their toes, but their efforts were not enough to keep the Pride from increasing their lead early in the fourth. Sophomore halfback Joe Czarnecki put the game away with a 15-yard touchdown run for Springfield, giving them a comfortable 33-7 lead. The Panthers reduced it to 33-13 on a 42-yard fumble recovery from junior Dan Fallon, but the Panthers couldn’t do any more to close the gap, coming away empty when time ran out.Plymouth State and Springfield combined for eleven fumbles on the day, resulting in five turnovers for the Pride and two for the Panthers. Plymouth also had more solid showings from their defense this week: Team tackle-leader Fallon made twelve total tackles, including eleven unassisted, while senior linebacker Jake Meserve produced ten unassisted out of his total eleven. Plymouth State, who just a week before notched its first multi-win season since 2001, hopes to get back on track on the road this Saturday, as they travel to Bangor, Maine to take on Husson College.