September 9, 2006

WPI Doubles Up Lancers, 40-20

(Courtesy of WPI SID)

Worcester, MA — Junior quarterback Rob Pantalone (Camp Hill, PA) threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another in the first half, and senior defensive back Mike Hansen (Westfield, MA) returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the second half as the WPI Engineers won their 11th straight season opener defeating the visiting Worcester State College Lancers (0-2), 40-20, at Alumni Field.

“Hansen had a phenomenal game, a career game, WPI head coach Ed Zaloom said. “I don’t ever remember two interceptions for a touchdown by a single person. We had a kickoff returner return back-to-back kickoffs before, that’s about it.”

Trailing 26-14 at the half and having the ball first in the second half, Worcester State – whose running game could only gain 40 yards on 16 carries – went to the air.

Hansen made a read on the quarterback's eyes and jumped the route for the interception and a 50-yard return for the score.

“I am very happy with the way the defense played today,” Zaloom said. “We created a lot of havoc. The defense won the game for us.”

The Engineers, which only allowed the Lancers 179 yards, ended the game with four interceptions, the two by Hansen and one each for Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) and Adam Haines (Manchester, NH).

Hansen added the final touchdown when he returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown with 7:31 left to play.

“This is the first time in my career that I’ve ever scored two touchdowns,” Hansen said. “In the first (return), I had some great blocking. The second one I broke a few tackles and the rest was just a blur. The defensive line was great, putting pressure on the quarterback all game long. That made it a lot easier to stay in coverage and get a read on the play.”

Pantalone guided the WPI offense for the entire second half and part of the second half. He threw for 83 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 7-for-13 passing. Two of those touchdowns were to junior wide receiver Mike Butler (Athol, MA).

The first TD to Butler was a beautiful one, a 29-yard pass placed over the safety’s head in a spot where only Butler can come up with the ball, which was set up by an Andrew Sides interception. The other was a 19-yard strike in the back of the end zone to culminate a four-play, 26-yard drive to end the first half and put WPI up, 26-14, heading into the locker room.

“Mike Butler is one hell of a player,” Zaloom said. “Some people how I feel about the game, I just tell them, ‘Ask Mike.’ ”

As the second quarterback, Justin Wells (Jay, ME) played most of the second half. He threw for 11 yards and an interception on 2-of-6 passing.

Senior Garrett Vandette (North Attleboro, MA) rushed for a team-high 66 yards on eight carries – all of which came in the first half. Sophomore Alix Orton (Worcester, MA) and George Chyoghly (Boylston, MA) combined for 75 yards on 19 carries in Vandette’s absence.

Matt Leeds (Bellingham, MA) had an outstanding afternoon for the Lancers. The safety registered four sacks while Anthony Figueiredo (Wareham, MA) and Scott Pollard (Taunton, MA) each tallied two tackles-for-loss. Brian Doherty (Lunenburg, MA) paced all Worcester State receivers with four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Box Score