WPI 25, Worcester State 0
Worcester, MA --- Freshman Elante Moore (Alexandria, VA) picked
off three passes and WPI rushed for three touchdowns as the
Engineers shutout Worcester State on Friday evening, 25-0. With the
win the Crimson and Gray improve to 2-0 while the Lancers slip to
0-2.
The running back tandem of sophomore Ernie Mello (Wilmington, MA)
and junior Aaron Champagne (Fairfield, ME) combined for 112 yards
and two scores while the signal calling duo of second-year Pat
McAuley (Hingham, MA) and senior Mike Swanton (Foxboro, MA)
registered 100 yards on the ground with one touchdown.
The Lancers were led by sophomore Marcus Price
(Worcester, MA) who ended the game with 123 all-purpose yards with
66 on the ground and 57 from the air.
WPI totaled seven sacks which included 2.5 by junior Hal Reader
(Bel Air, MD) and 1.5 from classmate Anthony Corbo (Port
Washington, NY). Reader also notched 4.5 tackles for a loss while
senior Craig Kennedy (Seekonk, MA) led all players with nine stops
and three for a loss. Adam Power (Tewksbury, MA) distinguished
himself by totaling five tackles (five solo) a fumble recovery, an
interception and a sack.
Junior Tyler Russell (Princeton, MA) highlighted
a strong Lancers defensive effort with a team best seven stops with
a tackle for a loss. Junior Paul Lewis (Worcester,
MA) chipped in with six tackles, a pass breakup and an interception
while sophomore Taylor Santos (Bedford, MA)
collected two of Worcester States three sacks.
WPI was stymed throughout the contest on third down as they were
only 1-for-13 on for the contest. The Crimson and Gray, however,
were successful on four of five fourth down conversions which
included two in the opening drive of the contest for the Engineers
which led to a 25-yard field goal by sophomore Cody Beckel
(Jupiter, FL) to give them the 3-0 lead at 6:30 in the opening
quarter.
After a Lancer punt, following a three and out, WSC recovered a
fumble for good field position on the WPI 30. The first play of the
drive was snatched by Power who returned it to Worcester
State’s 32. Six plays later, highlighted by a 21-yard
reception by senior RC Grady (Shirley, MA), Mello recorded a
one-yard scamper into the end-zone for the Engineers (kick missed)
with 1:50 on the clock in the first.
Two plays into the next drive Moore captured the first of his
three interceptions to the WSC 35 and the Crimson and Gray quickly
scored on a one-yard plunge by Tom Fontecchio (Shrewsbury, MA) with
11:50 remaining in the second half to make the score 16-0.
Worcester State opened their next drive with a 36-yard kick return
by senior Jason Patterson (Attleboro, MA), but it
stalled on the WPI 30 as the Lancers turned the ball over on downs.
WSC had their best opportunity to score in the half on fourth down
when reserve quarterback Graham Asum (Middleboro,
MA) tried to go for a deep end-zone pass to Dave
Salvi (Bedford, MA), but it was deflected by senior Chris
Boudreau (Rensselaer, MA) just before Salvi was able to catch the
ball.
For the rest of the second quarter no team advanced past the
opposing 40 yardline, but the Lancers nearly avoided disaster as
they recovered two of their own offensive fumbles and held WPI to a
four play, eight yard drive following Moore’s second
interception.
WPI came out of the locker room looking to extend the lead and
things looked good when they received a strong 31-yard kick return
by Mello and 35 combined yards by McGregor and Champagne to get to
Worcester State’s 20 yard line. WSC junior Paul
Lewis (Worcester, MA) then came up with a clutch play and
intercepted the play to give the Lancers some life.
Facing third down on the next series junior starting quarterback
Gil Ynostroza (Bellingham, MA) completed a 45-yard
play to Price to bring it to the WPI 15, but the Lancers failed to
score as senior Pat Skelton (Dedham, MA) missed a
25-yard field goal with 7:38 left in the third.
The Engineers were successful on their next drive as a 47-yard
Swanton rush and 13-yard Mello run got the Crimson and Gray into
WSC territory where they added to the lead with a 28-yard field
goal to make the score 19-0 (5:38 in 3rd).
Over the next ten minutes of game time into the fourth quarter,
the Lancers did not allow WPI to make a first-down on three drives,
but Worcester State couldn’t get past the Boynton Hiller
40-yard line in three of their own drives. The Engineer’s
finally broke through WSC’s defense with 55 combined rushing
yards by McAuley and a key personal foul penalty as they went up
25-0 on a nine yard push by Champagne as he powered across the
end-zone (kick blocked).
All told WPI out gained WSC 303-228 in total yardage which
included a 229-77 edge on the ground. There were seven total
turnovers in the game with five being forced by the Engineers while
both squads also fumbled the ball seven times as they battled
constant rain throughout the contest.
Both teams continue their non-league slate with away contests.
Worcester State travels to Nichols for its third-consecutive Friday
night game while the Crimson and Gray head to Becker for a 2:30
kick-off on Saturday.