WPI 25, Worcester State 0
Box
Score
Worcester, MA --- Freshman cornerback Elante
Moore (Alexandria, VA) pulled down three interceptions and
the WPI defense produced seven sacks, as the Engineers earned a
25-0 shutout over Worcester State in non-conference football action
on Friday evening. It was WPI's first shutout of any opponent since
a 35-0 win vs. Merchant Marine in 2007. The win gives WPI a 2-0
start for the seventh straight season, while Worcester State
falls to 0-2.
The Engineers picked up a field goal on their first drive of the
game before the turnover bug bit the Lancers late in the first
quarter. As Worcester State moved into WPI territory for the first
time in the game, WPI defensive back Adam Power
(Tewksbury, MA) picked a pass out of the air and returned it 38
yards to the Lancers' 32, setting up the game's first touchdown.
Six plays later, sophomore RB Ernie Mello
(Wilmington, MA) dove in from one yard out to give the visitors a
9-0 lead. It was Mello's second rushing TD of the season, while his
62 yards on the ground paced a trio of WPI rushers that got into
the end zone on the evening.
The WPI defense produced another big play at the end of the
first quarter to set up another scoring drive. With Worcester State
facing a 3rd and 14 on its own 29, Moore grabbed his first INT of
the game to give the Engineers the ball once again inside Lancer
territory, and the WPI offense would take full advantage of the
opportunity. The Engineers drove 35 yards in eight plays, capped by
Tom Fontecchio's (Shrewsbury, MA) one-yard
touchdown run, to take a 16-0 advantage. Moore added his second
interception late in the first half after a 33-yard run from
Lancers RB Marcus Price (Worcester, MA) gave
Worcester State the ball in WPI territory with under five minutes
to go before the half.
Worcester State had its best chance to score just after the
break, as an 11-play Lancers drive gave them 1st-and-goal at the
WPI 5. The WPI defense buckled down however, stopping Price for a
loss on first down and getting a Hal Reader (Bel
Air, MD) sack on second down. Reader had 2.5 of WPI's seven sacks
in the game and also recorded 4.5 tackles for a loss. Following an
incompletion on 3rd-and-goal, the defense forced the Lancers' field
goal attempt wide left, preserving the 16-point margin. On the
ensuing possession, the Engineers drove 69 yards en route to a
Cody Beckel (Jupiter, FL) field goal and a 19-0
lead.
The Engineers added another TD in the fourth quarter, as senior
RB Aaron Champagne (Fairfield, ME) raced into the
end zone from the Lancers' 9 for his third rushing TD of the
season.
Mello's 62 rushing yards led the Engineers, who produced 229
yards on the ground. QB Pat McAuley (Hingham, MA),
playing in relief of starter Mike Swanton
(Foxboro, MA), rushed seven times for 57 yards. Champagne
had 50 yards on 10 carries, while Swanton added 48 yards rushing.
R.C. Grady (Shirley, MA),
Cody McGregor (Westfield, MA) and Josh
Less (Fitchburg, MA) each had two catches for WPI. The
Engineers struggled on third down, converting only once in 13
chances, but were successful on fourth down to keep drives alive.
WPI was 4-for-5 in fourth down conversions.
The WPI defensive unit was the star in this game however, as the
Engineers held Worcester State to just 228 yards of total offense,
recorded seven sacks and produced five turnovers. In addition to
Moore's and Reader's efforts, senior Craig Kennedy
(Seekonk, MA) led all players with nine tackles, three for a loss,
while Jack Mulhern (Worcester, MA) had seven
stops. Power added five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery to
his first quarter interception.
Price led the Lancers offense with 123 all-purpose yards, as he
rushed for 66 yards and had 57 yards receiving. Price's 33-yard run
in the first half and 45-yard reception in the second were the
Lancers' longest plays of the evening.
Tyler Russell (Princeton, MA) had a team-best
seven tackles, while junior Paul Lewis (Worcester,
MA) chipped in with six tackles, a pass breakup and an interception
for Worcester State. Sophomore Taylor Santos
(Bedford, MA) collected two of the hosts' three sacks.
WPI will look to move to 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, as the
Engineers will remain on the road to take on Becker. WPI defeated
Becker 47-7 last season. Worcester State will play another Friday
night contest next week, when they will travel to Dudley to face
Nichols at 7pm.
Story by Ray Cotrufo - Sports Information Correspondent
Portions Courtesy Worcester State Sports Information
