As another season of Panthers football begins at Currier Field, Plymouth takes their first win at home over rival Mount Ida, 34 to 16. PSU recorded its 13th consecutive home victory leading all the way back to 2006, and leveled its season record at 1-1. Quarterback J.J. Brooks completed 8-of-9 passes for 154 yards with a touchdown while he rushed for two scores.
Running back Steve Campbell, who missed last week’s opener due to an injury, rushed for 130 yards helping out with PSU’s victory. Mount Ida had some talent of their own with running back Johrone Bunch, who rushed for 151 yards, two touchdowns and completed 2-of-4 passes for 11 yards. Both teams acquired touchdowns in the first quarter with Brooks scoring on a five-yard burst for PSU and Bunch going in from 23-yards, making the score even at 7-7. Brooks completed a 90-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run at the start of the second quarter, but Bunch didn’t quit as he rushed for 19 yards leading to a touchdown. Mount Ida missed the extra point attempt, leaving PSU with a 14-13 lead.
Adding to PSU’s success, Sophomore Christian Mulcahy had an amazing kickoff return for 82 yards for a touchdown just before the half. “I think it shows that special teams is coming along and will give us a huge advantage as the season goes on,” said junior center Nick Fuccillo, “His [Mulcahy] diversity is good for the team in the sense that he returns kicks, kicks field goals and plays defense,” Fuccillo also said.
Mount Ida first-year Matt Beale started off the scoring of the third quarter by kicking a 28-yard field goal but PSU answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Brooks to junior John Creamer later in the third, extending the lead to 27-16. After PSU continued to dominate the field and clinch the win when junior Chris Francher scored on a three-yard run with 6:45 left in the game.
PSU had 362 total yards, overpowering the Mustangs who had 274. While not forgetting about the defense, Junior Zach Parsons led PSU with eight tackles and an interception. PSU used all areas of play to take their victory at home. “We ran the ball with consistency, prevented there plays defensively, and did a great job with our punts, and of course the kickoff return helped us out,” head coach Paul Castonia stated. “The defense played well against a team that had a lot of talent,” added Fuccillo.
PSU will play their next game at home this Sat., Sept. 19 hosting Coast Guard at 1:00 p.m. at Currier Field. As for Mount Ida, they will return to Mass. for their next game on Sat., Sept. 19 with their home opener and its first East Coast Football Conference game against Gallaudet. Coast Guard is coming off of a double overtime loss to Merchant Marine Academy of King’s Point and will be looking to rebound. The Bears accounted for 338 yards of offense through the air with their spread attack.