WORCHESTER, Mass.--In a Sunday matinee, the Panthers lost for the first time this season, falling to the Massachusetts Pirates 59-52.
Bay Area (1-1) was outscored 14-7 in the fourth quarter, turned back twice needing a yard to extend the final possession. On 4
th and 1 from the Pirates' 19,
Dalton Sneed was thrown for a two-yard loss to seal the defeat.
The turning point was the first drive of the third quarter and the Panthers leading 38-30. Sneed's pitch to
JT Stokes was mishandled at the Mass 10 and recovered by the Pirates' Ezekiel Rose for the first turnover of the season. Massachusetts (2-0) evened the score a 2-yard run from Jimmie Robinson and the game was up for grabs.
The Panthers' last lead was on Sneed's 14-yard TD pass to Stokes for a 52-45 edge with 12:17 left in the fourth. But the Pirates scored the game's final 14 points to remain undefeated.
Signed two days earlier by the Pirates, Anthony Russo started at quarterback for the injured Alejandro Bennifield and completed 12 of 19 throws for 127 yards and four touchdowns. Robinson had 8 rushes for 52 yards and three scores.
Sneed was 13-22 for 156 yards and four touchdowns, three to
JT Stokes.
Justin Rankin led the running game with 69 yards on 13 carries and one TD
.
The Panthers have a bye week before facing Tucson on April 16. The Pirates also have a before a road game at Frisco on April 15.
