Worcester, MA- In what has become an annual tradition for Worcester State Football, the team kicks off their season tonight with a matchup with Cross Town non-Conference Rivals WPI under the lights of Coughlin Field. WPI came away with the victory last season, but under the new leadership of Coach Zach Besaw, the Lancers aim to open up their season at home with a victory against their lone non-conference opponent of the season. 

Final:

Worcester State: 9

WPI: 14

How it Happened:

The Lancers opened up on defense after the Engineers elected to return after winning the coin toss to start the 2024 season. Two plays into the game the Engineers were looking to go deep down the right-hand side but the pass by Stephen McDonald was intercepted by senior Damien Mitchell (Lancaster, PA) for the first interception of the season. The Lancers were unable to capitalize on the short-field advantage as a third down play inside pass was broken up by two WPI Defenders and the ball was snagged by Gavin Chieff to keep the game at 0-0. The Lancer's defense would allow 81 yards on the next drive but the defense would bend but not break as the Lancers forced a fumble on a 4th and goal to end the 1st quarter still tied at 0-0. 

After a direction flip, the Lancers would have a number of successful plays but would be forced to punt the ball after an intentional grounding saw first-down pushed out of reach. Junior Cam Ayotte (Millbury, MA) would spend most of the second quarter finding his slot targets as well as those receivers on the outside of his formation. Senior Nico Holmes (Mansfield, MA) and junior Sy'Air James (Stratford, CT) would get plenty of touches during the second quarter but neither team would see the ball cross into the endzone and the score would remain locked at  0-0. The Lancer's defense would also find success in the quarter as junior Micah Haynes' (Worcester, MA) interception would help keep the score at 0-0. With about 3:20 remaining in the second quarter, the Lancers would start to gain momentum and a fourth down conversion would see the Lancers have the ball near the red zone with about 51 seconds on the game clock. With four receivers out in the formation, Ayotte would find senior Deon Osei-Sarpong (Holden, MA) to grab the first lead of the game and a 6-0 score. First-year kicker Manual Frietas (Dartmouth, MA) would also score his first collegiate points by converting the extra point. 

The Engineers would make a Quarterback change after Macdonald's two first-half interceptions with 51 seconds to go in the second quarter. Mike Ingraffia would have good field positioning after a 41-yard kickoff return by Ryan Hannigan. The Engineers' offense would have a spark following this quarterback change and would drive 46 yards in 6 plays to tie the game up 7-7. The Lancers would receive the ball facing the DeFeudis Wellness Center looking to grab a last-second lead but the clock would strike zero before the Lancers could add additional points to the board.

The Lancers would open up the second half with five straight run plays utilizing two running back sets that saw Holmes and James splitting carries trying to cause mismatches with the Engineers' front seven. A couple of misguided throws in the midfield would see the punting unit come out for the first time in the game. The Engineers would try and match the Lancer's pace of play with some run plays of their own and Tom McGraw would additionally see his name called constantly gathering numerous yards. Tight end, Douglas Cain, would see himself utilized more as the offensive staff tried to exploit mismatches between the safeties and cornerbacks. Cain's reception would see the Engineers in the red zone and Jay Mezzo would score his second touchdown of the day on a fade route to the strong side of the Engineers formation. With the successful extra point, the score would become 14-7. The Lancers would have a chance to tie up the match in the third quarter with about 4:20 left to go as the offense would facilitate through Holmes this drive as he would get the ball 8 times through the air and the ground. His biggest rush of the day would come this drive as he would get 12 yards through the hole to see his team get energized as the game headed towards the final quarter. Miscommunication on a couple of routes and good defensive plays by the Engineers' defense would see the Lancers forced to punt. The Engineers would call for a fair catch around their own 23-yard line and there would be around 1 minute left in the third quarter. Two run plays and a passing play would result in a three-and-out. The third quarter would end and the fourth would open up with a WPI punt back to the Lancers but a mis-snap would find the ball sailing over the Engineers punter's head for a 24-yard loss and recovery ending in the endzone for a safety for Worcester State and a 14-9 scoreboard.

The Special teams for both programs were instrumental in the outcome of the game and were put on display in the fourth quarter as each team attempted to find their next scoring attempt, but the buckled-down defense for both would see the fourth quarter remain empty of additional action as WPI claimed the tight 14-9 victory. 

Ayotte would end the game with going 18-29 and 151 yards and a touchdown, while Holmes would lead the running unit with 22 attempts for 76 yards. Osei-Sarpong would get the lone touchdown catch for the game for the Lancers and 39 yards on the day. Senior John McMasters III had nine tackles on the day while Mitchell grabbed an interception for a 23 return.

What's Next:

Worcester State (0-1, 0-0) will return to action next Saturday when they welcome Plymouth State to Coughlin Field for the first MASCAC game of the season with a 12pm start.