PSU Football Falls in Double Overtime

Nick Fiore

For The Clock

nsfiore@plymouth.edu

The Panthers fell in double OT this past weekend, 29-23 to the Bears of Bridgewater State in a MASCAC battle. Plymouth looked to rebound after suffering its first loss of the season in their last game.

The Panthers struck first, scoring 14 unanswered points in the first half to give them the lead going into the second half. The second half became a different story, as they were only able to score 6 points while Bridgewater scored 20 points to tie the game and force overtime play.

The first overtime ended with both teams kicking field goals, which made the score 23-23. The Panthers had the first possession of the second overtime but turned the ball over when Plymouth quarterback Zack Edwards (Brookfield, Mass) threw a pass into the end zone that was picked off. The Bears capitalized on this and ended up driving down to the 1 yard line where they punched it in for the winning score.

Edwards finished his day going 8-17 for 107 yards and one touchdown to go along with the interception. Sophomore running back, Mitch Banuskevich (Milford, N.H.), pitched in with 3 receptions for 33 yards and 1 touchdown to go along with 45 yards rushing on 13 attempts. Freshman running back David Hamilton (Westville, N.J.) had 38 rushing yards and a touchdown, also on 13 attempts. Sophomore running back Naquan Hall (Jamaica, N.Y.) also pitched in with a rushing score.

The Panthers defensive had a spectacular outing, forcing 6 turn-overs over the course of the game (4 Int, 2 Fum). Junior defensive tackle Joe Esposito (Hackettstown, N.J.) had an overall dominant performance for the Panthers, recording 6 total tackles (2 for loss), a sack, a forced fumble, an interception and a blocked kick. Senior defensive back RJ Ramsden (Florence, Mass) led the way with 9 tackles, senior Linebacker Joe Walsh (Taunton, Mass), and freshman DB Matt Shea (Windham, N.H.) each had 8 tackles apiece. Junior DB Blair Zentek (Simsbury, Conn) continued his stellar season by recording his 6th interception of the year, also pitching in with 7 total tackles. Freshman DB Prince Gbaley (Manchester, N.H.) had half of Plymouth’s interceptions as he picked off the Bears twice and also added 4 tackles.

This was Plymouth’s second straight loss, moving their record to 4-2 (2-2 MASCAC) while Bridgewater continues their hot streak as they notched their 5th straight win, moving to 5-2 and remaining undefeated in conference play (5-0 MASCAC). The Panthers are back in action this Saturday October 22nd as they host defending conference champions, Framingham State Uni- versity (4-2, 3-1 MASCAC). Kickoff is set for 1pm.