Note: All statistics are unofficial.
PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The New England College football team, playing in their first intercollegiate game in 51 years, opened their 2024 season at Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon at Panther Stadium in Plymouth, New Hampshire, with the Pilgrims pulling out the 20-14 win over the host Panthers.
NEC HISTORY IN THE MAKING
- Prior to the game, New England College President Wayne Lesperance, just fourteen months after announcing the return of the NEC football program from the Don Melander Field in Henniker, was joined at midfield by Pilgrims' Director of Athletics Dave Decew and Head Coach Kevin Kelly for the ceremonial coin flip. The call on the toss was true and NEC would begin their new era by receiving the opening kickoff. Â
HIGHLIGHTS
- On their first play from scrimmage since their renewal began, NEC sophomore quarterback Icean Taylor (Manchester, N.H.) found sophomore running back Aidan McDonald (Salem, N.H.) on a screen pass to the outside who took it for a short gain before being tackled. Just like that, the new era of Pilgrim Football began. Â
- On Plymouth State's first drive, the NEC defense showed its toughness by holding the Panthers to a single first down and forcing them to punt.
- Down 7-0 late in the first quarter, the 'Grims got their biggest play of the game up until that point when Taylor found freshman wide receiver Aiden O'Shaughnessy (Methuen, Mass.) over the middle and the rookie took off for a 39-yard completion to the Panther 23. The quarter came to an end with NEC facing a 2nd and two from the four.
- On the very first play of the second quarter, Taylor took it in himself on a QB sneak, scoring the first NEC touchdown in 51 years and pulling the 'Grims to within one after a failed extra-point opportunity.
- With 4:45 left in the second and trailing 14-6, NEC encountered a critical moment as they found themselves driving to the Plymouth State nine-yard line but facing a fourth-and-two. Trusting in his offense, Coach Kelly went for it as Taylor found O'Shaughnessy on the outside who picked up just enough to get the 'Grims a first-and-goal. Two plays later and at the goal line, NEC executed a direct snap to McDonald who pounded his way right up the middle for a touchdown. Just like that the Pilgrims were within two, 14-12.
- The 'Grims defense got another stop on the Panthers, this time on a turnover on downs, and NEC went into their first halftime in 51 years trailing by just two.
- In the third, the Panthers went to the ground game, eating up nearly half the quarter and reaching the Pilgrim 27 before the NEC defense dug in and force another turnover on downs. Â Â
- On the ensuing drive, the 'Grims drove deep into Panther territory, setting up a first and goal from the nine. Back to back rushes brought the third quarter to an end with NEC facing a 3rd and goal from the four.
- The fourth quarter began with NEC taking their first lead of the game when freshman running back Fire Anderson (Cranford, N.J.) punched it in, putting the 'Grims up 18-14. New England chose to go back to Anderson on the two point conversion, putting the visitors up 20-14 with less than a quarter to go.
- Later in the fourth with Plymouth State driving, NEC freshman linebacker Nate Reid (Windsor, Conn.) made a hard hit on the Plymouth State receiver, forcing the fumble which was recovered by junior defensive back Kaevryel Madison (Concord, N.H.) as the 'Grims took over.
- With just over six minutes left in the game, it was the Panther defense coming through, forcing a punt and then blocking it to setup their offense on the Pilgrim 29 yard line, a golden opportunity for Plymouth State.
- With 1:13 left and the Panthers on the Pilgrims' 13, Plymouth State was forced to go for it on fourth down. NEC freshman defensive lineman Eric Menger (Stratham,N.H.) made perhaps the biggest defensive play of the game for the Pilgrims, breaking up the pass and giving the 'Grims possession and the victory as time expired.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Saturday, September 14th when they play at the University of New England. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. game.
- Plymouth State begins their varsity schedule next Saturday when they travel to Worcester State University for a 12:00 p.m. contest.
