Football Bested by Panthers on Senior Day

FITCHBURG, MA: Fitchburg State football fell to the Panthers of Plymouth State this afternoon in conference action.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 11/9/24

- Score: Plymouth 26, Fitchburg 21

- Records: Plymouth (5-3, 5-3 MASCAC), Fitchburg (2-7, 1-7 MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  The Panthers got the scoring started on their first drive of the contest. On a seven-play 69-yard drive, Willie Lombard would be found by Braden Lynn for an 11-yard touchdown pass and catch. Plymouth would plunge in another score with 1:59 left in the first quarter. Tightened Jacob Morris would go under center, take the snap, and dive forward for the four-yard rushing TD.

- The Falcons would get on the board on their first drive of the second quarter. Fitchburg would go no-huddle and march down the field on a 12-play 76-yard drive. Matthew Aguirre (Laredo, TX) would find pay dirt on a three-yard rush just to the left side of the center. After the Falcons defense forced a three and out of the Panthers offense, Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA) would take a punt return back to the house after picking the ball up off the ground and making an impressive move to get around the edge of the defense. The 78-yard return marks his best of the season, giving the Falcons their first lead of the game at 14-13.

- The Panthers would gain the lead back on their first drive of the second half. Lynn would take the snap and run right away to the left pylon for a seven-yard rushing TD. After a missed extra point, the Panthers would find themselves up 19-14.

- After the Falcons were driving down the field looking to regain the lead, Jonah Bassett would undercut a Fitchburg receiver to pick the ball off and give the Panthers the ball back with just over ten minutes left. They would then proceed to run the ball down the field using up 9:03 of the game clock. Lynn would find the endzone again on a rollout to the right after faking a handoff to the running back. This time, the rushing score would come from 14 yards out, putting the score at 26-14.

- Fitchburg would get the ball back with just over a minute left and go right into their two-minute drill. Quarterback Rocky Marchitelli (Gunnison, CO) would facilitate a great 11-play drive that went for 63 yards in 1:37. Marchitelli would use his legs and arm throughout the drive, capping it off with a four-yard scamper after escaping a Plymouth rush. With just seven seconds left, neither team would find the endzone again, getting the final 26-21.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  The Falcons defense was topped by Emmanuel Cano (Lowell, MA), who racked up 12 tackles on the day.  

-  Evan Wilson was the top tackler for Plymouth, with eight total tackles and one for a loss.

-  Total Yards: Plymouth 302, Fitchburg 248

- Passing: Fitchburg 96, Plymouth 87

- Rushing: Plymouth 215, Fitchburg 152

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State football will be heading to Westfield State to close out the season with a noon MASCAC contest.

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