Bears Picked Third in MASCAC Football Preseason Poll

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University football team has been picked to finish in third place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2022 MASCAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received 50 points in the poll. Four-time defending MASCAC champion Framingham State University is the preseason favorite to capture the conference title. The Rams paced the field with 61 points including five first place votes. UMass Dartmouth rounded out the top three teams in the poll with 59 points and four first place votes.

Under the guidance of head coach Joe Verria (7th Year), the Bridgewater State football team will look to build on a solid 2021 campaign. The Bears finished tied for second place in the 2021 MASCAC standings with a 6-2 conference mark (6-4 overall).

Returning All-MASCAC selections Brendan Albert (Sr., LB, Canton, Mass.), Jaren Alves (Sr., CB, East Providence, R.I.), Alexander Byron (Sr., T, Tiverton, R.I.), Dan Cataldo (Sr., DE, Wakefield, Mass.), Adam Couch (Sr., RB, Winchendon, Mass.), Jalen Kopecky (Jr., TE, Pawtucket, R.I.), Steven Silvia (Sr., LB, Dighton, Mass.) and Kyle Torres (Sr., WR, Waltham, Mass.) will help lead the Bears in 2022. Silvia is a three-time All-MASCAC First Team selection (2018, 2019, 2021). Albert, Alves, Cataldo, Couch and Kopecky each garnered All-MASCAC First Team accolades in 2021, while Byron and Torres were second team honorees a year ago.

Bridgewater State opens the 2022 campaign on Saturday, September 3rd when they host Ithaca College at noon from the friendly confines of Swenson Field. The Bears then embark on a three-game road trip beginning with a Saturday, September 10th (1:00 PM) tilt against the Unversity of New England Nor'easters followed by the MASCAC opener versus Plymouth State University on Saturday, September 17th (noon). The Bears wrap up the three-game swing on Saturday, September 24th (5:00 PM) at Western Connecticut State University.

The 2022 Homecoming Game on Saturday, October 1st (4:00 PM) will feature MASCAC opponent Fitchburg State University. The Bears then entertain conference foe Worcester State University on Saturday, October 8th at noon.

A bye week is followed by back-to-back MASCAC road games against Westfield State University on Saturday, October 22nd (2:00 PM) and UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, October 29th (noon). The Bears then welcome defending conference champion Framingham Stateto Swenson Field on Saturday, November 5th (noon).

Once again, the season culminates with the annual Cranberry Bowl game versus MASCAC rival Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The 43rd version of the Cranberry Bowl will take place at Swenson Field on Saturday, November 12th at noon.

Please check the Bears' online schedule for Live Stats and Webcast links for all games. Please click here for ticket information for the Bears' five home contests.