Worcester, MA --- Senior quarterback Rob Pantalone (Camp Hill, PA) accounted for 404 yards of total offense and five touchdowns to help lift WPI to 40-14 win over host Worcester State in non-conference football action on Friday night. WPI is now 2-0 on the young season while Worcester State dips to 0-2.

WPI rallied from a 14-13 halftime deficit with 27 unanswered points in the second stanza. The Engineers limited the WSC offense attack to 10 yards in the third quarter and no first downs.

All three of Pantalone’s passing touchdowns were caught by wide receiver Mike Butler (Athol, MA), who would finish the game with a career-high 180 receiving yards.

WPI broke into the scoring column first when Pantalone kept it on the option and dashed 71 yards for a touchdown.

The Lancers answered back when Craig Hill (Milford, MA) threw a 22-yard touchdown to receiver Pat Good (Hull, MA) early in the second quarter. Good then did damage with his legs as he rushed for a 4 yard scamper with 5:15 left to play in the first half.

The Engineers scored again late in the first half when Pantalone tossed a 22-yard pass to Butler. The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked at the line of scrimmage.

Late in the third quarter, WPI took a 19-14 lead when Pantalone scampered for a 27-yard touchdown at 3:36. The Crimson and Gray extended its lead when Pantalone lobbed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Butler in the corner of the end zone.

WPI broke the game open early in the fourth quarter with an 80-yard pass to Butler from Pantalone following a missed Lancer field goal. The Engineers would close out the scoring when Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) would intercept a tipped ball and return it 45 yards for his first career touchdown.

Pantalone, the reigning Liberty League Co-Offensive Player of the Week, was 16 of 26 through the air for 264 yards and the three touchdowns. The three touchdowns equal his career-best, set last Saturday versus UMass Dartmouth and last season against Worcester State. Pantalone added 140 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.

On offense, the Lancers were led by Good, who would finish the game with 106 passing yards and the two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Engineers were led by Chris Boudreau (Rensselaer, NY) and Sides, who would each finish the game with eight tackles.

Worcester State was paced by linebacker Nick Gallant (Billerica, MA) who was credited with eight tackles and defensive back Matt Leeds (Bellingham, MA) would chip in with two sacks and another for tackle for loss and a pair of forced fumbles.

Worcester State will open up conference action next Saturday when they travel to Dudley to face Nichols at 1pm in a mandated NEFC cross-over contest. WPI will entertain Becker on the same day at 2pm at Alumni Field.

Story by WPI Athletics Intern Steven M. Miller Jr.