Football Falls Short to Bridgewater

FITCHBURG, MA: Fitchburg State football was defeated by the Bears of Bridgewater State this afternoon in conference action.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 9/30/23

- Score: Bridgewater 38, Fitchburg 14

- Records: Bridgewater (3-2, 3-0 MASCAC), Fitchburg (0-5, 0-3)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  The Bears received the opening kickoff to lose the ball just two plays in on a fumble by their QB, James Cahoon. With the ball at the 32-yard line, Rocky Marchitelli (Gunnison, CO) found Peter Norton (Marblehead, MA) over the middle for the touchdown. Bridgewater would come right back and drive it down the field in ten plays for 60 yards. Mack Driver would cap it off with a rush from four yards out.

- The Falcons second drive was moving when Marchitelli got strip-sacked by Brendan Albert, who returned the ball for a 63-yard return to give the Bears a 14-7 lead. Bridgewater would go on to score two more touchdowns to make it a 28-7 game with 13:25 left in the second quarter. Jack McCarthy would put the Bears up 21-7 with a 20-yard touchdown reception. Driver would punch in another score from five yards out, putting Bridgewater up three touchdowns.

- Fitchburg would find the endzone again before the half on a shifty 64-yard catch and run by Elijah Zaire McKnight (Tracy, CA). The first half would come to a close with a 23-yard field goal by Joey Naso, giving the Bears a 31-14 lead.

- The Second half was a defensive-heavy game, seeing just one score with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter with another Driver rush from four yards out, giving you the final of 38-14.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Top Performers

-  Marchitelli threw for 263 yards on 21-37 passing with 2 TDs and 1 INT.

-  Driver rushed for a game-high 84 yards on 19 attempts, scoring 3 touchdowns.

-  Matthew Aguirre (Laredo, TX) topped all receivers with seven receptions for 79 yards.

- Camren Topkin (Ledyard, CT) topped all defenders with 13 tackles (4 solo, 9 assisted), a half sack, and a fumble recovery.

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State football will be back next weekend at 12 PM against Framingham State on Elliot Field for another MASCAC matchup.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.