FB: Walker, Panthers run past NEC in season opener
HENNIKER, N.H. – Graduate student Gregory Walker (Boxford, Mass..) rushed for a career-high 185 yards and three touchdowns, powering Plymouth State University to more than 400 rushing yards as the Panthers spoiled New England College's return to the gridiron with a 49-21 win at Laurie Cox Memorial Fields on Saturday.
Walker found the end zone on each of the Panthers' first three possessions, surpassing 100 yards rushing in the opening quarter alone. NEC scored on its first two drives, but PSU responded both times, with Walker plunging in from one and 14 yards out.
Junior TJ Taveras (Rochester, N.H.) and senior Ryan Fleming (Boxborough, Mass.) combined for a nine-yard sack and Fleming broke up a third-down pass late in the first to force a punt. PSU took over at midfield, and two plays later Walker broke free for a 40-yard score to give the Panthers the lead for good.
Seniors Shea McClellan (Abington, Mass.) and Shawn Harrington (South Weymouth, Mass.), freshman Jayden Graham (Rutland, Vt.), and junior Reece Davis (Livermore, Maine) all added rushing touchdowns as the Panthers piled up 418 yards on the ground – just shy of the program record of 440 set in 1984.
Plymouth State opens the season 1-0, while NEC drops to 0-1 in its first varsity campaign in 51 years.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 49, NEC 21
- Plymouth State (1-0)
- NEC (0-1)
How it Happened:
- NEC open with a 62-yard touchdown drive to grab an early 7-0 lead.
- Junior Joe Fontano (Southington, Conn.) returned the ensuing kickoff 28 yards to set up PSU's first drive. Harrington, McClellan, and Walker ran the ball seven straight plays, capped by Walker's one-yard TD plunge to tie it.
- The Pilgrims answered immediately with a 65-yard touchdown run to go back in front, 14-7.
- Another solid return from Fontano set PSU up near midfield. Walker ripped off runs of 23 and nine yards, while graduate student Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) added 11 on the ground to set up Walker's 14-yard score, knotting the game at 14-14.
- Taveras and Fleming's sack on the next NEC possession forced the game's first punt. Walker followed with a 12-yard run, then broke free for a 40-yard TD to put PSU ahead 21-14 after one quarter.
- After forcing a three-and-out, PSU marched downfield behind eight consecutive runs, with McClellan punching it in from two yards out for a 28-14 lead.
- Both teams traded scoreless possessions before halftime, leaving PSU up two scores at the break.
- Lynn completed both pass attempts on the opening drive of the third quarter (14 and 17 yards), setting up Harrington's six-yard touchdown run to make it 35-14.
- The defense forced a turnover on downs late in the quarter, and Fontano, Harrington, and Davis combined for big gains to set up Graham's six-yard TD early in the fourth.
- NEC answered with a touchdown drive, but the Panthers closed it out with a ten-play, 56-yard march capped by Davis' 18-yard score for the 49-21 final.
By the Numbers:
- Walker ran for 185 yards on just 13 carries (14.2 yards/carry) and three touchdowns.
- Davis added 79 yards on ten carries with one score.
- PSU averaged 8.0 yards per rush.
- Lynn finished 2-for-3 passing for 31 yards.
- Harrington caught one pass for 14 yards, while Graham had a 17-17 catch-and-run.
- Fontano totaled 122 all-purpose yards, including 78 on kick returns.
- PSU topped 400 yards rushing for the first time since 2008 (415 vs. UMass Dartmouth).
- Sophomore Robbie Engel (Topsfield, Mass.) and junior Greg Berthiaume (North Attleboro, Mass.) led the defense with seven tackles each, plus a pass breakup apiece.
- Freshman Francesco Lopriore (West Boylston, Mass.) added five tackles.
- The PSU defense combined for five pass breakups.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State dives into conference play next Saturday (Sept. 13) when Worcester State travels to Panther Field. Kickoff is set for noon.
– 30 –