Bridgewater, Mass --- Freshman running back Chris Russell (Stoughton, MA) ran for 149 yards and a touchdown tolead the Bridgewater State College Bears past the Lancers of Worcester State 21-13 on Homecoming at Swenson Field.
Bridgewater State improves to 5-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Bogan Division, while Worcester State drops to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in divisional play. Bridgewater State took a 7-0 lead on a one yard run by Russell late in the first quarter. The touchdown capped a 43-yard drive that consisted of ten plays. Bridgewater scored again two possessions later on an 11-yard touchdown pass to Chris Joyce (Bridgewater, MA) delivered by quarterback Steven Clark (East Falmouth, MA). Clark put great touch on the pass enabling Joyce to catch it in the corner of the end zone. Joyce did a superb job of getting his feet inbounds with verylittle room to work with. The touchdown came following a Greg Borsari (Kingston, MA) interception that halted aWorcester State drive in Bridgewater territory.
The Bears continued to dominate the first three quarters of play scoring a third unanswered touchdown with only 25 seconds left in the third quarter. After recovering a Worcester State fumble on the Worcester 26-yard line, the Bears wasted no time as Clarke fired a 26-yard touchdown pass to David Wall (Braintree, MA) on the first play of the drive giving Bridgewater a commanding 21-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Worcester State, however, would rally. The Lancers finally got on the board on a beautiful 63-yard bomb by quarterback Pat Good (Hull, MA) to wide receiver Matthew Goode (Foxboro, MA). The extra point conversion was blocked however as the Lancers trailed, 21-6. Worcester scored again with 3:45 left to play in the fourth quarter on a 17-yard touchdown catch hauled in by Scott Pollard (Taunton, MA). Suddenly Worcester was a touchdown and two point conversion away from tying a game that looked to be well in hand for the Bears.
Worcester would get one more shot as they took over at mid-field with 3:17 left to play. The Bridgewater defense proved to be up to task as they forced a Worcester turnover on downs. Bridgewater's offense took over and Worcester could only watch as the Bears ran out the clock for their 5th win of the season.
The Bears turned the ball over 3 times, while the Lancers turned it over five on a wet day in Bridgewater. BSC racked up 402 yards of total offense including 285 on the ground. Clark played a solid game for the Bears, throwing for 109 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 94 yards. Joyce proved to be Clark's go to guy catching six passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Good completed 9 of 33 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns but was intercepted three times. Freshman tailback Aaron McCraine (West Newbury, MA) rushed for 125 yards on 29 carries.
Junior safety Josh Duquette (Plymouth, MA) recorded two of the Bears' three interceptions on the day including one at the BSC one-yard line as Worcester was driving late in the second quarter. Duquette leads the team with five picks on the season. Sophomore defensive end Sean Larkin (Pembroke, MA) registered 6 tackles, two of which went for loss, and recovered 2 fumbles.
For Worcester on defense, junior linebacker Nick Gallant (Billerica, MA) recorded 13 tackles (8 solo) to go along with a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. Senior defensive back Tom Fallon (Leominster, MA) also made 13 tackles (9 solo).
Bridgewater will wrap up the 2007 season next Saturday at Mass. Maritime in the 29th annual Cranberry Bowl game. Kickoff is at noon. Worcester hosts Westfield State next Saturday also at noon.