DUDLEY, MA. – It was another tough week for the Plymouth State football team as they lost to Nichols College 19-14 in Dudley, Mass. The loss knocks PSU’s record to 2-4 for the season, with a 2-2 NEFC (New England Football Conference) record. Nichols’ record moved to 4-2 overall with a 3-1 NEFC record. The game was hard fought by both teams, with the game tied going into halftime, but the Panthers ran out of opportunities to beat the Bisons.
The game did not start in PSU’s favor; a fumble resulted in Nichols scoring their first touchdown on a five-yard rushing touchdown from running back Anthony Pillari. The Panther offense bounced back, though, on a one-yard run from fullback John DeMarco. With the extra point from kicker Chris Dopp, the score was tied 7-7, where it remained for the rest of the first half.
In the beginning of the second half the Nichols’ defense held PSU to 46 total yards, while their offense racked up 182 yards. Bison quarterback Michael Carven hooked up on a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nicholas Kane to get the lead during the third quarter. A blocked extra point attempt kept the score at 13-7. Pillari struck again near the end of the third quarter with a 37-yard touchdown run. A failed two-point conversion attempt made the score 19-7.
The Panther offense tried to rally in the fourth quarter and was heading in the right direction after quarterback Tye Seastedt connected with wide receiver Shawn Durgin for a touchdown. Unfortunately for PSU, they were pinned deep in their own territory on their last couple of possessions, and just couldn’t find a way to get to the Nichols’ side of the field.
The Panthers were led by running back Jeff Mack, who ended the game with 63 yards rushing on nine carries. On defense, safety Mike Lannon made 11 tackles on the day, nine of them being solo tackles. The Bison were led by Pillari, who finished the day with 142 yards rushing, and having 196 all-purpose yards. Carven also chipped in with 68 yards rushing. Bryan Meuse anchored the Nichols defense with 12 tackles, along with breaking up two passes and causing the fumble for the Panthers’ first turnover.
PSU will try to rebound this week against Curry College, at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Currier Field in Plymouth. Curry is ranked as the number one team in New England with a 7-0 record, along with winning 15 of their last 16 games. They are also the defending three-time NEFC champions.