BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - The Rowan University football team scored 14 points off of four turnovers, and limited the Bridgewater State College vaunted rushing attack to just 67 yards, as the Profs defeated the host Bears, 24-14, this afternoon from Swenson Field in Bridgewater.
The game marked the season-opener for both teams as Rowan improves to 1-0 and the Bears are now 0-1. The two teams also had never met before on the football gridiron before today's game.
After a scoreless first quarter dominated by the defenses, Rowan finally got on the board as the Profs took advantage of a shanked punt and started their scoring drive on their own 47. Nine plays later, junior quarterback Frank Wilczynski (Pine Hill, NJ) connected with junior tight end Derek Piccini (Ridgefield, NJ) on a six-yard touchdown pass with 4:58 remaining in the half.
Trailing 7-0, Bridgewater State responded on the ensuing possession as senior running Bruce Burley (Mansfield, MA) found the end zone on a 4-yard TD run capping off a nine-play, 80-yard drive. Highlighting the drive was a pair of third and long pass plays from senior quarterback Tyler D'Ambra (Mansfield, MA) to junior receiver Jesse Teixeira (Taunton, MA) that went for 34 and 36 yards.
With only 55 second left in the first half, Rowan took advantage of a short kickoff and got a nice 33-yard return from senior Davon Edwards (Whitesboro, NJ) to start the last-minute drive on the BSC 43-yard line. Rushes of 10 and 13 yards by Wilczynski and a 13-yard pass to sophomore wideout Anwar Sanders (Sewell, NJ) moved the ball down to the BSC 7. After an incomplete pass, freshman kicker Mark Getsinger (Deptford, NJ) booted a 26-yard field goal with no time remaining on the clock to give the Profs a 10-7 advantage at the half.
The Rowan defense flexed their muscles in the third quarter as the Profs limited the Bears to just 39 yards of total offense in the quarter while also forcing a turnover on the Bears opening possession. Sophomore defensive back Ted Plunkett (Trenton, NJ) intercepted a D'Ambra pass at the BSC 36 less than three minutes into the quarter. One play later, Wilczynski connected with sophomore receiver Dan Lisa (Highland Lakes, NJ) on a 36-yard touchdown pass to increase the Profs' lead to 17-7.
The offenses stalled for the remainder of the third period as the teams entered the final quarter with Rowan holding on to the ten-point lead. The Profs opening drive of the fourth quarter resulted in a missed 38-yard field goal attempt into the wind.
Bridgewater continued to struggle on offense as their first possession of the fourth quarter resulted in a fumble and the second in an interception by senior cornerback Ken Quinones (Dover, NJ). Rowan took advantage of BSC's fourth turnover of the game as they strung together a seven-play, 46-yard drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Wilczynski. Sophomore tailback Brett Scott (Bellmawr, NJ) provided most of the damage on the drive as he carried the ball four times for 34 yards.
Down 24-7 in the waning minutes, Bridgewater capped off the scoring as D'Ambra connected with junior tight end Tony Cina (Hanson, MA) for a 25-yard TD pass with 1:17 left on the clock. The Bears moved the ball 60 yards on seven plays with the key play being a 30-yard pass from D'Ambra to senior wide receiver David Wall (Braintree, MA) on fourth and five from the BSC 45.
Wilczynski completed 8 of 18 passes for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 23 yards and another score. The Profs ground game went for 147 yards on the day with Scott leading the way with 58 yards on 13 carries. Lisa finished with 3 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Wall had a big receiving day for the Bears as he set career highs with 8 receptions for 120 yards. D'Ambra completed 13 of 32 pass attempts for 223 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted twice and was hurt by a handful of dropped passes. D'Ambra was also sacked five times in the game.
Bridgewater's rushing attack never seemed to get untracked throughout the afternoon. Burley led the way with 12 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Senior defensive lineman Justin Hinds (Port Reading, NJ) and junior safety Mike Barone paced the Profs run-stopping defense. Hinds recorded 5 solo tackles and a pair of sacks, while Barone notched 8 tackles (2 for loss), forced a fumble and recovered another. In the secondary, Plunkett and Quinones each had 2 pass breakups to go along with their interceptions.
Senior defensive tackle Mohammed Kanu (Randolph, MA) led the Bears with 4 tackles and a pair of sacks, while sophomore safety John Farroba (North Attleboro, MA) registered 6 tackles and forced a fumble.
The Bears are back at Swenson Field next weekend as they host New England Football Conference rival UMass Dartmouth at noon.