CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton football team returned to Dave Wolk Stadium on Saturday after a bye week. The Spartans (3-3. 2-3 MASCAC) faced off against Plymouth State (2-3, 2-3 MASCAC), with the Panthers coming away with a 21-6 win.

Plymouth's run game led by Willie Lombard who accumulated 163 of the Panthers' 204 yards on the ground was the focal point behind Plymouth's victory.  The Spartans outgained the Panthers in the air 253-144 behind Leonard Brice's career day of 9 catches for 116 yards. Kevin McDonough recorded his fifth game of double-digit tackles with 12 and Mike Morrissey came up with his first career interception in the matchup. 

The Spartans started the game with the ball and tried to establish the run game early with three of their first four plays staying on the ground. Despite being granted a penalty that earned them a first down, the Spartans could not convert on their next four downs and would hand possession over to the Panthers.

Plymouth wasted no time and found themselves in the back of the end zone in just two plays on their first drive. Braden Lynn completed a deep pass to Mitchell Cripps for a 54-yard touchdown to put the Panthers up 7-0. 

After an unsuccessful second drive, Castleton started to find their groove in the air. Wes Cournoyer found Jacob Calabro on 3rd and 11 for a 17-yard gain to keep the chains moving. Cournoyer would connect with Calabro again with a 38-yard completion to get the Spartans inside Plymouth's 10-yard line. The Panthers could hold Castleton out of the red zone, forcing them to attempt a 21-yard field goal that hit the upright and kept the score at 7-0.  

Plymouth scored on their next two drives with their first coming from a 10-play 80-yard drive with a 19-yard pass complete to Devin Connally to extend Plymouth's lead to fourteen. Willie Lombard broke out for a 73-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers up 21-0 with just under six minutes left in the first half. 

VTSU Castleton needed to find an answer to get momentum on their side. Brice stepped up for the Spartans with four straight receptions for 71 yards to get Castleton back into the red zone. Cournoyer would find Caezar Williams in the back of the end zone to get Castleton on the board and trail 21-6 entering the half. 

Plymouth spent the second half managing the clock and keeping the ball on the ground. Castleton made solid efforts on their drives and came close to getting back into the ball game, but the Rutland, Vt. native Jonah Bassett Jr. had two interceptions in the end zone to ice the game and give Plymouth the 21-6 victory. 

VTSU Castleton returns to action next Saturday, October 26, at Fitchburg State. Kick-off is slated for 3 p.m.