Thiboulot's hustle can't save Engineers in season finale
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by Mike Newcomb
Sports Editor |
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There's always next year, right? Another week of strong individual efforts was not enough to sustain WPI's one-game winning streak, as Plymouth State College trounced the Engineers, 49-19. The game was the last of the season for both teams; WPI finished 2-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
Junior FB Eric Thiboutot racked up 202 all-purpose yards in the losing effort. The Nashua, NH native rushed for 103 yards and one touchdown, caught three passes for 48 yards, returned two punts for one yard, and brought back a pair of kickoffs for 50 yards.
"Thiboutot is a helluva back," said Plymouth State head coach Chris Rorke, "and even though we were up 21 points, I was still a little wary."
After being shut out in the first half, the Engineers narrowed the Panthers' lead to 28-19 after the third quarter. However, the home team scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth to seal the victory.
Nick Fluet rushed for 92 yards, but was knocked out with an injury in the third quarter. The Leominster, MA native finished his WPI career 19 yards short of 3,000 and 32 yards short of 1,000 for the season. Fellow senior Jeff Martin (Fairhaven, MA) led the defense with nine tackles, tying the single season mark with 124, matching Jon Pires' mark set in 1998.
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