Falcons Upended By Bears, 42-15

Ridenour and Tamukedde notch first collegiate TD's for Fitchburg State

Bridgewater, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University football team dropped a 42-15 decision the Bears of Bridgewater State University, 42-15 this evening at Swenson Field in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 15, Bridgewater State 42

Records: Fitchburg State (0-4, 0-2 MASCAC) | Bridgewater State (2-2, 1-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Bridgewater State took the lead on its opening possession, driving 71 yards on seven plays as junior quarterback Stefano D'Emilia (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) found senior Travis Bassett (Littleton, Mass./Littleton) in the corner of the end zone for a six yard touchdown for the 7-0 advantage.

The Bears doubled their margin (14-0) early in the second quarter when Bassett ran off the right side, seven yards into the end zone, capping a nine play, 92 yard drive. Bridgewater State upped its lead with just over two minutes remaining in the half as D'Emilia connected with senior Jack Lavanchy (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) for the 12 yard touchdown to make the score 21-0.

The hosts extended their lead (28-0) with 7:51 left in the third quarter when D'Emilia fired a 51-yard strike to sophomore T.J. Hairston (Watertown, Mass./Watertown). With the score 42-0, Fitchburg State answered back as junior quarterback Connor Fitzsimons (Flushing, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) hooked up with sophomore tight end Drew Ridenour (Mashpee, Mass./Mashpee) for the 17 yard TD to cut the lead to 42-8.

The Falcons continued to battle as senior tailback Chris Tamukedde (Lowell, Mass./Lowell Catholic) capped a six play, 62 yard drive with a 19 yard touchdown run up the middle, resulting in the 42-15 final.

Inside the Numbers

34th meeting between the two teams on the gridiron with the Falcons currently 8-26-0 all-time when taking on the Bears.

Fitchburg State had won three of the last four contests against the Bears, including a 31-29 decision last season at Elliot Field.

Fitchburg State was led by junior Jesse Brown (Yonkers, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac), who hauled in six passes for 62 yards, while Tamukedde added 50 yards on six carries and one touchdown.

For Bridgewater State, D'Emilia threw for 133 yards on 7-of-13 passes and three TD's, while Lavnachy finished with four grabs for 81 yards and a pair of touchdown.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Melchior Lynch (Roxbury, Mass./New Mission) recorded a game-leading 15 tackles on ten solo stops and five assists tackles as well as two TFL's, while sophomore Caleb Gonsalves (Mashpee, Mass./Mashpee) and junior David Morales (Lawrence, Mass./Lawrence) added one sack each for the Falcons.

Junior defensive back Mark Wilson (Foxborough, Mass./Foxborough) paced the Bears defense with a team-best five tackles on three solo tackles and two assisted stops, while freshman Dimitri Dorinvil (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) added five tackles with four solo stops and one assisted tackle.

Ridenour and Tamukedde registered their first collegiate touchdowns for Fitchburg State.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Buccaneers of Mass. Maritime Academy next Saturday, September 29th for a contest starting at 2:00 PM. Bears will travel to Westfield State to take on the Owls on the same date for a 2:00 pm kickoff.