Falcons Shut Down Bridgewater State, 35-3

FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Fitchburg State University defense paved the way for a 35-3 victory against Bridgewater State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest at Elliot Field on Family Weekend. The Falcon defense forced five turnovers and didn't allow a single touchdown in the winning effort.

Senior linebacker Luis Feliz inserted his name in the stat sheet early on; picking off a deflected ball on the Bears first possession of the contest. The following defensive stand resulted in another turnover for the Falcons as defensive lineman Pedro Camilo scooped up a fumble.

The first quarter of play saw 14:56 minutes of scoreless football before the visiting Bears broke the stalemate on a 36 yard field goal by Liam Murphy, taking the lead 3-0 before the end of the first stanza.

Fitchburg State trailed the visitors by three when junior quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie extended the Falcons drive on third and nine finding Taylor Ekstrom on a 30 yard reception downfield, setting up a 19 yard touchdown run by Taylor Wrice-Brooks the following play to take a 7-3 advantage.

Following a Bridgewater State three and out, the Green and Gold capped off a 71 yard drive when Dellechiaie found Jordan Almore open out of the backfield. Allemore took the pass 19 yards diving into the end zone increasing the lead for Fitchburg State to 14-3.

The Falcons defense forced their second consecutive three and out and gave Dellechiaie the ball back with 57 seconds left in the first half. Dellechiaie drove 47 yards and finished off the drive, diving into the end zone as time expired in the half with the host scoring 21 unanswered points to take a 21-3 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter of action Fitchburg State added to their staggering lead when Dellechiaie connected for his second touchdown toss of the game finding wide-out Trayvon Neal on an eight yard score (28-3).

Just a few minutes later the Fitchburg State defense showed up yet again as junior linebacker Nathan Hollie recovered a Bridgewater State fumble and returning it 63 yards to set up the Falcons offensive in the red-zone.

Falcons back-up quarterback Andrew Minton took advantage of the fortunate field position, punching in a four yard touchdown run for his first collegiate score, resulting in the 35-3 final.

The Green and Gold defense controlled the line of scrimmage all game, allowing just 273 total yards of offense for Bridgewater State, forcing five total turnovers (3 fum, 2 int) en route to the victory. Bridgewater State were faced with six fourth down attempts, failing to convert all six. Sophomore linebacker Mamour Samb led the Fitchburg defense with 12 total tackles with a sack and 1.5 TLF's. Bridgewater State linebacker Nicholas Salois finished the game as the leading tackler, totaling 14 tackles, including five solo and nine assisted. Feliz led the game recording 2.5 tackles for loss, adding to his 12 tackles and one interception.

Dellechiaie led all passers in the win tossing for 285 yards and finding his target on 22 of his 32 attempts and three total TD's. His competitor, sophomore QB Alex McLaughlin threw for 102 yards on 19 attempts, while adding 44 yards on 19 carries.

Fitchburg State University (3-1, 1-1 MASCAC)) take to the road in their next conference bout traveling to Bourne and taking on Mass-Maritime on October 3rd. Bridgewater State (2-2, 1-1 MASCAC) will host Western Connecticut on the same day in a MASCAC contest.

COURTESY IN PART TO STUDENT JOURNALIST KYLE PRUDHOMME