The PSU football season came to an end despite one of the greatest seasons in PSU history, matching up against SUNY Cortland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sat., Nov. 22 in N.Y.
The Panther’s success brought together the whole PSU community, as they celebrated the teams performance on Saturday. The 2008 Panthers came out this year to add on to a great performance from last year’s 9-1 season. Since struggling against Mt. Ida in the beginning of the season, the Panthers rolled their way to the NEFC Championship, completing one of the biggest upsets against Curry College and winning nine straight heading into the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the Panthers first NCAA appearance since 1995.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament brought together two teams that dominated most of the regular season. The Panther’s came into the first round with a 10-1 record and a NEFC Championship to show for it. SUNY Cortland Red Dragons also came into the first round ready to go with a 10-1 record and a suffocating defense.
The Panther’s would score first, but would see the Red Dragons take over early and never look back. Senior quarterback John Demarco passed for 171-yards and a touchdown, also running for a score as well. “I don’t think anyone regretted the way the game turned out because regardless of the outcome, the game and experience was unbelievable. Of course, everyone wanted to win the game and move on, but it is hard to have one day ruin all the good we accomplished the 10-12 weeks prior”, said Demarco.
The Panther’s would crush the competition throughout the season, and truly make the Panther’s the team to beat in the NEFC. Demarco brought a tough attitude and great leadership to the Panthers. “A true competitor never goes into any competition without convincing themselves they can win. As a team, we knew what we had to do in order to be as successful as we could be,” said Demarco, “We focused on going 1-0 every week. That was a key to the success this year. We weren’t thinking down the road, we worried about one game at a time, one play at a time. We worried about the ‘guys in green’.”
One of the biggest PSU football classics to date was the upset over Curry College here at PSU. The crowd was a huge factor; as the Panther’s would make their mark in the NEFC and accomplish what few teams have done in the past decade, beat Curry. Curry College rolled in with a 37-game winning streak and won the past 5 Championships in the NEFC. “Emotions were high, I mean Curry College is a great team and ending there streak of 5 straight championships before winning our own, is a feeling that will never get old,” said senior running back Brandon Clough, “The win is great for the recruiting part of college football along with the confidence of beating anyone on any giving Saturday, as long as you take one play at a time.”
Accomplishing one of the greatest seasons PSU has ever seen saw breakout performers breaking big-time records. Senior running back Jeff Mack brought the running game to new heights this season rolling up the list and accomplishing a school record of 1,779 yards and 20 touchdowns. Mack also ran the ball for over 200 yards in four games this season, and was ranked in the top 10 in the nation. Honoring Mack’s accomplishments brought another award following the post-season this year, as Mack was selected to the New England Football Writers’ All-New England team for Division II/III for the second straight season.
Mack and nine other teammates were selected to the NEFC 2008 All-Star team that was voted in by other head coaches around the league. Eight players were voted onto the Boyd Division first team, including Mack, senior tight end Tim Nicholson, senior offensive linemen Joe Duval and Zac Duval, defensive linemen Justin Jarvis and Jim Sestito, senior linebacker Brian Keenan and sophomore defensive back Kevin Whalen. PSU’s second team selections were senior defensive lineman Ryan Harrington and sophomore defensive back Zach Parsons.
There is no question that the Panther’s brought everything they had into the season this year, Coach Paul Castonia pushed the Panthers to perfection and was honored with the prestigious New England Coach of the year for Division II/III. It was the first time PSU has seen this award given to the head football coach for the Panthers.
As this remarkable season comes to an end, The Clock Sports staff would like to congratulate the team’s success and look forward to see the team defend it’s title in 2009-2010 season.