Mass-Maritime Runs Past Fitchburg State, 19-7

White and Reopell propel Bucs with 185 yards rushing and two scores

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 15, 2011) – Massachusetts Maritime Academy rushed for 184 yards and scored 13 points in the second quarter, earning its fourth victory of the season with a 19-7 triumph over Fitchburg State University in NEFC action this afternoon.

Senior Matt White (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) led the Buccaneers on the ground, totaling 126 yards on 24 carries, while junior Barry Reopell (South Dennis, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth) found the end-zone twice to cap off a 59 yard, two TD day. Behind center, quarterback Mike Stanton (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) paced Mass-Maritime, throwing for 116 yards on 6-of-14 passing and one touchdown, while sophomore Keith Caruso (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) led the receiving corps with five catches for 87 yards.

Fitchburg State opened the contest with an early 7-0 lead as freshman quarterback Brian McDonald (Walpole, Mass./Hebron Academy) found senior wide-out Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) on a 49 yard touchdown reception, but Mass-Maritime battled back, scoring twice in the second quarter for a 13-7 lead at the break. Sophomore Chris Robery (Plainville, Mass./King Phillip) gave the Buccaneers an early lift with a 29-yard touchdown grab at the 12:43 mark, while Reopell blasted into the end-zone with a one-yard run just two minutes later.

In the second half, both teams combined for 252 yards of offense, but key turnovers limited each teams' scoring production. Mass-Maritime notched the lone score of the half as Reopell broke off a six yard touchdown run to give the Buccaneers a 19-7 advantage at 8:38 of the third frame.

Turnovers were key in this afternoon's contest as both squads combined for seven giveaways on the day. Defensively, Stefan Gustafson (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) and Eddy Ramos (Sunny Isles, Fla./Michael Krop) sparked the Bucs with a pair of interceptions, while Sheldon Pepper (Sharpsbury, Ga./Northgate) totaled a team-high 11 tackles, including eight solos stops. Senior Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) led the Falcons with a game-high 16 tackles, posting nine solo efforts and seven assists.

On the offensive end, freshman Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) led Fitchburg State with 66 yards on the ground, while Kimber added four catches for 74 yards and five rushes for 29.

Fitchburg State (2-5, 1-3 NEFC) will be back in action next weekend travels to Bridgewater State at 1 p.m. Mass-Maritime (4-2, 2-2 NEFC) will host Maine-Maritime next Saturday for a noon kickoff.