By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- From the start of training camp in August, there was reason for optimism about the Bridgewater State University football team’s defensive unit.
The Bears were returning a cast of experienced players who had a solid 2011 season, and the expectation was for even better results this fall.
“We lined them up and started looking at it and, yeah, we had a pretty good idea it could be something special,’’ said coach Chuck Denune.
The defense has not disappointed, ranking second in the New England Football Conference in total yards and rushing yards allowed and third in points surrendered.
On Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field, BSU’s defense produced further evidence of how special a unit it is by shutting down one of the conference’s leading offenses.
The Bears held Worcester State University far below its averages of 33 points and 432.7 yards of total offense, surrendering only a fourth-quarter touchdown and 225 yards to the Lancers.
The stifling defense keyed a 19-7 victory before a homecoming crowd of 1,379, giving BSU its third consecutive win and handing Worcester State its first Bogan Division loss.
“They’ve been great all season,’’ said Denune, whose team is 6-1 and tied for second in the division with Worcester State at 3-1. “It’s a terrific unit. Anytime they’ve been put in a situation with their backs against the wall, most of the time they come out giving up a field goal or shutting teams down completely. They’ve been really impressive.’’
The defense was there throughout, setting the tone in the first quarter when the Bears turned the ball over on each of their first three possessions. Every time Worcester State looked like it was going to take advantage and zip into an early lead, though, BSU’s defense responded.
“Hat’s off to the defense,’’ said Denune. “You turn the ball over three times in your first three possessions and there’s still a goose egg sitting underneath their name.
“It was a great job until we could get something going on offense keeping the game neutral for a while. It could have gotten out of hand there.’’
The work of the defense gave the BSU offense time to regroup, and the Bears bounced back to take a 12-0 halftime lead on a pair of second quarter 1-yard touchdown runs by quarterback Mike McCarthy.
The junior had another productive day, gaining 130 yards on 24 carries while throwing for 102 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s a tough, tough kid,’’ said Denune. “He’s a 220-pound bowling ball that we play at quarterback. They’ve got to hate trying to tackle him.’’
BSU’s first three drives ended with a fumble and two interceptions, and a short punt set Worcester State up on its fourth possession at the Bears’ 37. But the Lancers (5-2, 3-1) missed two field goals and had to punt the other two times.
Worcester State did not score until 9:46 remaining in the game when Corey Spencer threw a 4-yard TD pass to A.J. Scerra, getting the Lancers within 12-7.
With plenty of time remaining for a Worcester State comeback, the BSU offense went on a seven-play, 62-yard drive to seal the win as Nick Jablonski caught a 9-yard TD pass from McCarthy with 5:48 to play.
Key plays in the march were delivered by Matt Green of Stoughton, who picked up a first down with a 14-yard reception, and Blaise Branch of Brockton, who had a 15-yard run.
That scoring drive gave BSU breathing room, and the defense finished off Worcester State. David Silvia (eight tackles) and Paul Melicharek (seven tackles, 11/2 sacks) led the way while Adam Toman had 1 sacks and Dillon Huber-Parker intercepted a pass.
“We have a lot of veterans,’’ said junior end Tate Doehler of Lakeville, who had a sack. “We’re all kind of like brothers and we pick each other up. We’ve got a lot of experience. It feels good to hold them to seven. We were looking for the shutout. We did a good job holding them like we did.’’