FOOTBALL FAMILY DROPS SECOND STRAIGHT AT PLYMOUTH

In week two of the 2009 season, the Mount Ida College football family dropped a 34-16 second straight loss at non-conference Plymouth State University this Saturday in Plymouth, New Hampshire.  The Panthers were looking for revenge today after the Mustangs spoiled their perfect season in 2008 with a 24-7 victory in week two as well.  The Mustangs fall to 0-2 with their first Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) match-up coming this Saturday in Newton, Massachusetts while the Panthers improve to 1-1 overall.

Mount Ida sophomore running back/punter Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) enjoyed a solid individual performance rushing for 151 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns.  He also completed 2-of-4 passes for 11 yards as well.  Senior wide out Kyle Watkins (New Haven, CT/James Hillhouse) was non existent on the field today with three catches for 26 yards.  The Panthers learned their lesson from last season with Watkins dazzling Plymouth with 158 yards receiving with two touchdowns on 11 catches in last years victory. 

The teams traded first-quarter touchdown runs, Brooks scoring on a five-yard burst for PSU and Bunch rambling in from 23 yards out to tie the game at 7-7.  Brooks capped a 90-yard Panther drive with a three-yard TD run early in the second quarter, and Bunch again answered for the Mustangs with a 19-yard rushing touchdown. Mount Ida botched the extra point attempt, leaving PSU with a 14-13 advantage.

Sophomore Christian Mulcahy (Norwich, Conn.) returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown to put the home team ahead at halftime, 21-13.

Mount Ida freshman Matt Beale (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) booted a 28-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, but PSU responded with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Brooks to junior John Creamer (Hanover, Mass.) late in the third to make it a 27-16 game.

PSU clinched the win when junior Chris Francher (Weare, N.H.) scored on a three-yard run with 6:45 left in the game.

The Panthers outgained the Mustangs in total yards by a 362-274 count.  Junior Julien Baptiste (Greenlawn, NY/Elwood-John Glenn) topped the visiting defense with 11 tackles, including seven solo.  Mount Ida senior quarterback Michael Cloutier (Troy, NH/Lansingburgh) was 12-26 with one interception and no touchdown passes on the day. 

The Mustangs will have their home and conference opener this coming Saturday against ECFC member Gallaudet University starting at 1:00 p.m.