BSC Bears Roll to 32-6 Win over Maine Maritime

Box Score 

Bridgewater, Mass --– In New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division action, the Bridgewater State College Bears, behind a solid defensive effort, downed the Mariners of Maine Maritime Academy, 32-6, this afternoon from Swenson Field.

In a turnover filled game, the Bears (2-1, 1-0 NEFC Bogan) forced 6 turnovers and limited the Mariners (1-2, 0-1 NEFC Bogan) to just 34 passing yards and 183 yards of total offense.

Junior running back Bruce Burley (Mansfield, MA) rushed for 154 yards and a pair of first quarter touchdowns as BSC racked up 327 yards on the ground. For Burley, it was his fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance dating back to last season.

The Bears jumped out to a quick 20-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game, taking advantage of a pair of turnovers on Maine’s first two possessions. Junior tailback Jason Williams (East Falmouth, MA) opened the scoring on a 6-yard touchdown scamper and Burley posted TD runs of 6 and 61 yards.

That, however, would be all the scoring there would be in the opening half as both teams had problems with turnovers. The team’s combined for 7 turnovers in the first half, four for Maine and three for BSC. Bridgewater State’s defense was also a big factor as the Mariners drove inside the Bears’ 20-yard line on four consecutive possessions but could not come up with any points. Maine turned the ball over on downs three times, including getting stopped on a fourth and goal play at the 2. The Mariners fumbled the ball away on the other.

Maine finally got on the board in the second half as they took advantage of a botched opening kickoff and recovered a fumble at the Bridgewater 22. Three plays later, Mariner sophomore quarterback Tyler Angell (Leeds, ME) connected with sophomore wideout Alex Coulombe (Kennbunk, ME) on a 20-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 20-6.

Junior place kicker Brian DiCristoforo (Hope, RI) notched a pair of field goals in the second half, including one from 37 yards out, to increase the Bears’ lead to 26-6. Bridgewater capped off the scoring with 3:48 remaining in the fourth quarter as senior quarterback Greg Borsari (Kingston, MA) hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Patrick McGrail (Braintree, MA) on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

The Bears defensive line was terrific all game long. Senior end Robert Morrissey (Gloucester, MA) recorded 9 tackles to go along with a forced fumble. Junior tackle Chris Dijak (Lunenburg, MA) made 8 tackles (6 solo) and added a sack, a blocked extra point and a fumble recovery. Sophomore end Sean Larkin (Pembroke, MA) registered 8 tackles as well, two of which were for loss. Larking also forced a fumble and recovered two others. Junior tackle Mohammed Kanu (Randolph, MA) chipped in with 4 tackles and a sack.

BSC’s secondary also shut down Maine’s passing game as Mariner quarterbacks combined to complete just 2 of 12 passes for 34 yards, and were intercepted twice. Junior free safety Josh Duquette (Plymouth, MA) broke up three passes and recorded his second interception of the season. Junior safety Justin Ferreira (East Providence, RI) also registered an interception as well as a pass breakup.

Along with Burley’s performance on the offensive side of the ball, Borsari finished with 89 yards and a touchdown on 11 of 18 passing. Freshman running back Chris Russell (Stoughton, MA) carried the ball 9 times for 66 yards and senior wideout Chris Joyce (Bridgewater, MA) caught 6 passes for 49 yards.

Senior running back Brandon Goodrich (Waterboro, ME) led way offensively for Maine Maritime as he rushed for 98 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, senior linebacker Chris Tracy (Westbrook, ME) notched 12 tackles and 4½ tackles for loss. He also forced and recovered a fumble. Senior defensive back Nate Bolduc (Farmington, ME) registered 11 solo tackles, while freshman linebacker Wade Mondoux (Berwick, ME) tallied 11 tackles to go along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The Bears will try to make it two in a row next Saturday as they take on divisional rival Fitchburg State at 1:30 in Fitchburg. Maine Maritime hosts Westfield State next Saturday at 1 in their “Homecoming Game”.