Bridgewater State Withstands Fitchburg State, 34-25

Brown hauls in first two career TD receptions for Falcons in MASCAC setback

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore quarterback James Antonelli threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns, but the Falcons rally fell just short as Bridgewater State held on for a 34-25 victory in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) football action at Swenson Field this evening.

Fitchburg State took the lead on its opening drive, going 81 yards on seven plays as senior quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie found freshman receiver Jesse Brown in the far corner of the end zone for an 11-yard strike for the 7-0 advantage.

The Bears knotted the score (7-7) as senior quarterback Danny Higgins connected with junior Malik Garrett from five yards out to finish off a ten play, 50-yard drive with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Bridgewater State grabbed the lead with 6:35 left in the half as junior Travis Bassett hauled in a 16-yard pass from Higgins to polish off a seven play, 85-yard drive for the 14-7 advantage.

Following a 15-yard touchdown run by junior Alex McLaughlin to make the score 21-7, the Bears capped the first half scoring when Higgins hooked up with sophomore Jack Lavanchy on a 21-yard connection as Bridgewater State took a 27-7 lead into the break.

Following the intermission, the Green and Gold made it a two score game as sophomore quarterback James Antonelli found Brown in the left corner of the end zone for his second touchdown reception on the evening to cut the Bears lead to 27-13 with 3:18 left in the third quarter.

The Green and Gold continued to battle with 5:09 remaining in regulation, Antonelli drove the Falcons 71 yards on six plays, capped by a 20-yard touchdown reception by junior Ben Sattiewhite for his first career TD grab to make the score 27-19.

Bridgewater State regained it two-score lead with just under two minutes left in the contest as junior linebacker Charles McCarthy intercepted a pass and sprinted 22-yards into the end zone for the 34-19 advantage before the Falcons capped the scoring when Antonelli lofted a 35-yard pass into the hands of sophomore Herbert Acosta, resulting in the 34-25 final.

Antonelli paced the Falcons offense, completing 16-of-31 passes for 230 yards and three TD's, while Acosta and Brown combined to make nine catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns. For Bridgewater State, Higgins threw for 314 yards and three scores on 24-of-45 passes, while McLaughlin ran for 113 yards on 30 carries with one TD.

Defensively for Fitchburg State, senior Tre Watson finished with seven tackles on seven solo stops and one TFL, while classmate Ousmane Samb added seven solo tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.

Senior linebacker A.J. Pascuzzo led the way for the Bears defense, registering five tackles on four solo stops, one assisted tackle and a pair of TFL's, while McCarthy added five solo stops, one tackle of loss and an interception.

Fitchburg State (2-2, 0-2 MASCAC) returns to action next Saturday as it hosts the Buccaneers of Mass. Maritime Academy for a contest starting at 12 p.m. Bridgewater State (2-2, 2-0 MASCAC) will visit Western Connecticut State at 6 p.m.

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