Curry stops PSU, takes control of NEFC

MILTON, Mass. – Up for grabs was the New England Football Conference Boyd Division -- and much more than that -- as host Curry College defeated Plymouth State University, 20-9, yesterday. The loss puts PSU's NCAA playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

Curry is now positioned to host the NEFC title game against the Bogan Division champion, with the winner earning an NCAA playoff berth. Plymouth (6-2 overall, 4-1 NEFC), at best, can finish at 8-2 and hope for an at-large NCAA bid or settle for an ECAC playoff game.

That reality was only beginning to sink in following the tough loss.

"All we can do is take care of our own business the next two weeks," PSU coach Paul Castonia said. "We can't control what anyone else decides for us down the road."

PSU hadn't lost in the Boyd Division since a trip to Curry in 2007, and the Colonels again stood their ground at Katz Field. Rain held off for most of the game and wasn't a factor.

Double click the window to see Kevin Gray's video from the Curry-Plymouth State contest.

Curry quarterback Zach Cavanaugh, a scrambling, strong-armed senior, was a big factor. He rushed for one touchdown and threw for another, combining for 140 all-purpose yards to pace Curry (6-2, 5-0 NEFC).

Plymouth made its opening drive look easy, with QB J.J. Brooks firing a 39-yarder to Alex Smith that set up a 29-yard field goal by Chris Mulcahy. The drive went 59 yards on nine plays, and Curry's offense promptly went three-and-out.

The Panthers were cooking -- but not for long.

Curry's Matt Alksninis added a 25-yard field goal, and the Colonels parlayed a pair of interceptions into touchdowns before halftime. Cavanaugh rushed for a 13-yard TD and tossed a 48-yard scoring pass to Jeff Hibbard.

Hibbard's grab came on third-and-10, and Cavanaugh scrambled before throwing a wounded quail. Hibbard made the catch and bulled into the end zone with 12 seconds remaining before halftime, giving the Colonels a 17-3 cushion.

"Huge, huge play," said Castonia. "Their quarterback made a lot of plays, and we didn't contain him well."

Brooks, coming off a 9-for-9 passing effort against Nichols, completed seven of 21 passes for 120 yards with three interceptions. In the fourth quarter, Brooks, from Winnacunnet High School of Hampton, orchestrated a 20-play, 99-yard drive and scored on a QB keeper.

The impressive 10-minute possession was of little consolation for the Panthers, who managed a season-low 269 yards of offense. Brooks, who led Plymouth with 50 yards rushing, wasn't in the mood for talking after the game and politely declined to be interviewed.

Castonia said Curry's speed gave Brooks problems.

"That's one of the quicker teams we'll see, an they made up some ground," Castonia said. "J.J.'s made his share of plays over the last eight weeks. Unfortunately, their guy (Cavanaugh) was doing it today." Curry was held to a field goal in the second half but never felt threatened.

►Smashing helmets with some old friends

"We've had this game circled on the calendar all year," said Curry fullback Johnathan Sughrue from Pinkerton Academy of Derry.

Plymouth on Saturday returns home to face conference foe MIT on Senior Day. Kickoff is at noon.