FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Fitchburg State University defense paved the way for a 35-3 victory against Bridgewater State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest at Elliot Field on Saturday. The Falcon defense forced five turnovers and didn't allow a single touchdown in the winning effort.
Senior linebacker Luis Feliz inserted his name in the stat sheet early on; picking off a deflected ball on the Bears first possession of the contest. The following defensive stand resulted in another turnover for the Falcons as defensive lineman Pedro Camilo scooped up a fumble.
The Falcons, however, turned the ball over twice themselves in the opening period on a fumble and an interception. BSU senior safety David Console picked off a pass in the end zone to stall one drive, while senior defensive end Marty Voorhis recovered a fumble to end another.
The first quarter of play saw 14:56 minutes of scoreless football before the visiting Bears broke the stalemate on a 36 yard field goal by Liam Murphy, taking the 3-0 lead before the end of the first stanza.
On the Falcons' ensuing possession, junior quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie extended the drive on third-and-nine finding Taylor Ekstrom on a 30-yard reception downfield. That would set up a 19-yard touchdown run by Taylor Wrice-Brooks the following play to give FSU the 7-3 advantage.
Following a Bridgewater State three-and-out, the Green and Gold capped off a 71-yard drive when Dellechiaie found Jordan Almore open out of the backfield. Allemore took the pass 19 yards diving into the end zone to increase the lead for Fitchburg State to 14-3.
The Falcons' defense forced their second consecutive three-and-out and gave Dellechiaie the ball back with 57 seconds left in the first half. Dellechiaie drove 47 yards and finished off the drive, diving into the end zone as time expired in the half with the host scoring 21 unanswered points to take a 21-3 lead.
After a scoreless third quarter of action Fitchburg State added to its lead when Dellechiaie connected for his second touchdown toss of the game finding wide-out Trayvon Neal on an eight-yard score (28-3).
Just a few minutes later the Fitchburg State defense showed up yet again as junior linebacker Nathan Hollie recovered a Bridgewater State fumble and returning it 63 yards to set up the Falcon offensive in the red-zone.
Falcon back-up quarterback Andrew Minton took advantage of the fortunate field position, punching in a four-yard touchdown run for his first collegiate score, resulting in the 35-3 final.
The Green and Gold defense controlled the line of scrimmage all game, allowing just 273 total yards of offense for Bridgewater State, forcing five total turnovers (3 fum, 2 int) en route to the victory. Bridgewater State was faced with six fourth down attempts, failing to convert all six.
Sophomore linebacker Mamour Samb led the Fitchburg defense with 12 total tackles with a sack and 1.5 TFL's. Feliz led the game recording 2.5 tackles for loss, adding to his 12 tackles and one interception.
Bridgewater State senior linebacker Nicholas Salois finished the game as the leading tackler, totaling 14 tackles, including five solo and nine assisted. Junior defensive tackle Elvis Romero chipped in with nine tackles including a pair of sacks.
Dellechiaie led all passers in the win tossing for 285 yards and finding his target on 22 of his 32 attempts and three total TD's.
BSU sophomore QB Alex McLaughlin threw for 102 yards on 19 attempts, while adding 44 yards on 19 carries.
The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams next Saturday. Fitchburg State (3-1, 1-1 MASCAC) travels to Mass. Maritime Academy for a noontime game with the Buccaneers. Bridgewater State (2-2, 1-1 MASCAC) will host Western Connecticut State University at 1:30.