BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University junior placekicker Russell Bolarinho has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football Special Teams Player of the Week.
A native of Acushnet, Massachusetts, Bolarinho connected on both of his point after tries, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Bears captured the MASCAC title with a dramatic 28-27 win over defending champion Framingham State University.
Down 27-21 in overtime, the Bears scored on a Malik Garrett (Dorchester, Mass.) one-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 27-all. Bolarinho then converted the extra point to win the game and secure the MASCAC title.
The conference championship marks the first for the Bears since 2000, when the team competed in the New England Football Conference (NEFC), and third overall (1999, 2000, 2016). With the win, Bridgewater earned an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Tournament as the Bears will be making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2012.
In eight games this season, Bolarinho has converted 22 of 27 PATs. He booted a 27-yard field goal, his only attempt of the season, in the Bears' 29-23 Homecoming win in double overtime over Plymouth State University back on October 15th.
Bolarinho ranks third in the MASCAC in made extra points and is fourth in PAT percentage.
The BSU football team is currently 7-2 on the season and a perfect 7-0 in the MASCAC. Winners of seven straight games, the Bears wrap up regular season play on Saturday at noon when they host Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the 38th Annual Cranberry Bowl presented by Ocean Spray.