DARTMOUTH, Mass. – It was a record-breaking day for
Mekhi Wilson as his six touchdowns – including a single-game record five rushing scores – helped lift the UMass Dartmouth football team to a 42-21 win over Plymouth State University in the regular season finale. The Corsairs finish the season at 6-4 overall and 6-3 in the MASCAC, while the Panthers finish 8-2 with a 7-2 conference record.
It was a banner day for the junior rusher, who posted a career-high 218 yards on 23 carries with five rushing touchdowns for the second time this season. He added a score in the air as well to account for all of UMass Dartmouth's scoring. Wilson eclipsed the single season record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 18, surpassing the previous mark of 16 set by J.T. Harold in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Additionally, Wilson finished with the third-most rushing yards in a season behind Harold (1567) in 2008 and Shawn Theriault (1535) in 2003.
Wilson opened the game's scoring at 10:40 of the first quarter, making it a 7-0 lead following a 10-yard rush. He added to the score with a nine-yard run at 3:49 to give UMD the 14-0 lead, but the Panthers battled back on a 1-yard run by Shawn Harrington to cut the score at 14-7 heading into the second quarter.
Wilson posted another 10-yard run for the touchdown at 13:03 of the second to tie the single-season record and Plymouth State responded as Mitchell Cripps caught a 16-yard pass from Braden Lynn, closing the gap to 21-14 with 19 seconds remaining.
Out of halftime, the Corsairs saw Wilson break the single season record, notching rushing touchdown #17 on the season after a 1-yard run at 3:57 of the third for a 28-14 advantage. The Panthers once again answered on a 30-yard catch by Devin Connally, but Wilson answered in the fourth with a 12-yard catch and a six-yard rushing score to close out the victory for the Corsairs.
UMass Dartmouth saw junior quarterback
JC Petrongolo go 25-of-29 on the day with 203 yards and a touchdown. Wilson finished with 218 yards on 23 carries, while in the air rookie wide receiver
Jayden Francois and senior wide receiver
Jael Cabrera each had 63 (8 receptions) and 61 (7 receptions) respectively.
Defensively, the Corsairs were paced by junior defensive back
Xavier Lopes, who posted five solo tackles and seven total with a game-high three pass breakups. Five different players recorded sacks on the day, including freshman defensive back
Prince Exavier, senior linebacker
Lamar Beaton, senior defensive back
Matteo Pina, junior linebacker
Owen Dunker and sophomore linebacker
Dylan Lykins.
The Corsairs also honored their 15 seniors prior to today's game, including Beaton, Pina, Cabrera, offensive lineman
Matt Goodison, running back
Napoleon DeBarros, quarterback
Matt Kirrane, wide receiver
Owen Quigley, defensive lineman
Michael Deleon, running back
Malik White, wide receiver Hunter Reminton, defensive back
Matthias Barros, linebackers
Dylan Bradley and
Alex Santini, tight end
Xavier Webster and defensive lineman and 2025 team captain,
Kairis Codio.
