Westfield State University hosts Plymouth State in a Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference game. Kickoff is at 1:00 P.M. at Alumni Field on Saturday October 27. Westfield State will be celebrating its Senior Day and will recognize the 16 seniors on this year's team before the game. The two teams appear evenly matched on paper as the Owls come into the game with a 4-4 record, 3-3 in the MASCAC, while Plymouth State comes into this game with a 4-3 record, 3-3 in MASCAC.
Last Week: Westfield State lost to Framingham State 27-2 at Alumni Field. Westfield got a safety in the first quarter, and the Owls took the lead into the second quarter. Framingham scored twice in the second quarter to take a 13-2 lead into half. The Owls hung tough in the second half until Framingham finally closed out the game with two fourth quarter touchdowns. Westfield State Quarterback Jake Cassidy finished the game with 104 yards passing and rushed for 53 yards. Travon Holder rushed for 46 yards for the game. Plymouth State won 17-14 on their home field against Mass Maritime. Quarterback Zack Edwards led the offense with 183 yards passing and a touchdown. Running back David Hamilton rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown.
The Series: Plymouth leads the Owls 13-3 in the all time series. Westfield's last win was in 2016, in a dramatic 14-13 overtime victory at homecoming.
Last Year: Plymouth State won 17-0 on their home field. The Panthers used a stifling defense, and quarterback Zack Edwards finished the game with 131 yards passing and two touchdowns. Plymouth State running back Mitch Banuskevich rushed for 61 yards. For the Owls, running back Travon Holder rushed for 131 yards, but the Owls were hurt by being minus-2 in the turnover game.
Westfield on Offense: Junior quarterback Jake Cassidy triggers the Owls offense, and through eight games has thrown for 755 passing yards and five touchdowns. He has also rushed for 351 yards and ran for five touchdowns. Senior running back Travon Holder leads the team in rushing yards (780) and in touchdowns (12). Wide receiver Evan Garvey leads the team in receptions (16) and in receiving yards (285) he also has two touchdowns. The Owls are averaging 338 yards and 24.3 points per game.
Westfield on Defense: Graduate student linebacker Zach Howard leads the team with 59 total tackles and has two interceptions on the year. Senior linebacker Tyler Robbins has chipped in with 33 total tackles. Defensive end Zack Kane has 4.5 sacks to lead Westfield. The Owls defense has allowed 25.5 points and 304.4 yards a game.
Westfield on Special Teams: The MASCAC special teams player of the week, Cody Cleveland averages 38.7 a punt. Garvey leads the team with a kick return average of 19.0.
Plymouth State on Offense: Quarterback Zack Edwards leads the offense with 1,219 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Running back David Hamilton has rushed for 618 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Jacob Szule has seven receptions on the year and leads the team in receiving yards (428) and touchdowns (6). The Panthers average 319 yards and 25.6 points per game.
Plymouth State on Defense: Defensive back Matt Shea leads the team with 55 total tackles. Defensive backs Brady Lafrance and Grant McGregor has also chipped in with 39 tackles each. Plymouth State defense has allowed 17.1 points and 302.7 yards a game.
Plymouth State on Special Teams: Punter Jeremy Martin averages 40.7 yards a punt. Mitch Banuskevich leads the team in kick return average with 31.6.
Media Coverage: Live stats and webstream video are available at WestfieldStateOwls.com and on the MASCAC.tv channel on Roku and AppleTV.
Up Next: The Owls will be traveling to Western Conn. State on Saturday November 10th for Westfield's final regular season game at 12:00 p.m. Plymouth State will host Fitchburg State at home on November 3rd with kickoff at 12:00 p.m.
-- written by Nick Suglia '19, sports info intern