FITCHBURG, Mass. – Sophomore Ben Desmarais (South Hadley, Mass.) registered a pair of touchdown runs, including the game-clincher with 1:17 remaining as Bridgewater State topped Fitchburg State 28-13 in New England Football Conference (NEFC) action this afternoon.
Desmarais ended the hopes of a Fitchburg State comeback as the second-year rusher lifted the Bears to their fifth victory of the season. Desmarais led the Bridgewater State ground attack, rushing for a career-best 123 yards and two TD's over 14 carries. Freshman Kyle Brodeur (West Springfield, Mass.) was also solid on the ground with 59 yards on 13 carries and one score, while classmate Chris Constantine (Hingham, Mass.) finished with 24 yards rushing and 28 yards receiving.
The Bears opened the contest on fire, posting a 14-0 advantage through one quarter of play. Brodeur kicked-off the Bridgewater State scoring with a 13 yard TD run at the 8:13 mark before McCarthy capped the first quarter surge with a two-yard touchdown plunge late in the frame. The Falcons added a field goal midway through the second stanza as place-kicker Lenny Masciangioli (Leominster, Mass.) connected on a 38 attempt to close out the first half, 14-3.
In the second half, Fitchburg State came out blazing, controlling the tempo of the contest with several defensive stands and a quick ten points to open the period. Senior Darren Wilson (Lowell, Mass.) sparked the Falcons rally, breaking free from a trio of tackles for a 79 yard TD scamper, while Masciangioli added his second field goal of the day with a successful 35 yard effort.
Bridgewater State answered the call just two possessions later, using a four-play, 61 yard drive to grab an eight point lead with 1:14 remaining in the quarter. Brodeur and McCarthy sparked the Bears rally with runs of 17 and 29 respectively, before Desmarais capped the drive with an 11 yard touchdown score.
Trailing by only a score heading into the fourth quarter, the Fitchburg State offense took over, marching down the field on consecutive drives for a late comeback attempt. The Falcons saw their first drive stall after a missed 36 yard field goal at the 12:13 mark and later saw their comeback trail shortened as Bridgewater State's Brian Smith (Lowell, Mass.) recorded an interception in the end zone. On the following drive, the Bears secured the contest, marching 80 yards on nine plays for Desmarais second score of the contest, a one yard TD run.
The Falcons outgained the Bears offense 382-275 in the contest, thanks to its stingy defense throughout the second half. Fitchburg State junior Will Gasson (North Falmouth, Mass.) led all tacklers, posting a game-high 14 stops with ten solo tackles, four assists and one fumble recovery. Senior Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass.) was also strong with ten tackles in the game, while sophomore Paul Melicharek (Glen Rock, N.J.) collected a team-best 11 tackles (9 solo, 2 assists) for the Bears.
Wilson paced the Falcons offense with his third, 100+ yard game of the season as the veteran runner registered a game-best 140 yards and one TD over 25 carries. Junior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass.) finished the contest 17-of-31 for 201 yards, while senior Kyle Callahan (Stoneham, Mass.) brought in five catches for a team-high 86 yards.
Fitchburg State (1-7, 1-4 NEFC) will be in action again next Saturday as it travels to Worcester State at 12 p.m. Bridgewater State (5-3, 3-2 NEFC) will host Maine Maritime next Saturday at 12 p.m.