WESTFIELD, Mass. - Luke Johnson (South Attleboro) rushed for 101 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown as an opportunistic Westfield State football team posted a 28-19 homecoming victory over Bridgewater State on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Westfield, which had another stellar defensive effort from its highly ranked defense, is now 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Bogan Division of the New England Football Conference. Bridgewater is also 5-3 and 3-2.
The Owls' four touchdown drives were all short field scores, from the Bridgewater 11, 33, 34, and 35. Westfield, the national leader in interceptions (19 entering the game), picked off three more passes vs. Bridgewater, and all were crucial picks.
The Owls also recovered a fumble at the Bear 11 that set up their first score, an 11-yard run up the middle by Johnson for a 7-0 lead with 9:04 left in the first quarter.
Bridgewater quickly tied the score on a 36-yard touchdown run around left end by quarterback Steven Clark (East Falmouth) on a broken play out of the backfield.
Westfield's second scoring drive originated at the Bear 35 following a 19-yard Bridgewater punt. Nine plays later, Owl quarterback Kyle Anderson (Westminster) scored on a quarterback sneak from the 1.
On Westfield's next possession, Bridgewater took advantage of the Owls' only turnover as Josh Duquette (Plymouth) returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown. The score remained at 14-13, however, as Bridgewater failed to convert the PAT because of a bad snap.
Overall, Westfield's special teams played a key role in the big victory. Chris Stengel averaged 40 yards on six punts, including a 63-yarder late in the first half that rolled dead at the Bear 3.
Bridgewater was forced to punt and Westfield started its drive at the Bear 33. Anderson scrambled for 24 yards on first down, then reserve running back Steve Skribiski (Whately) carried the ball three times for nine yards, including a 2-yard TD to give Westfield a 21-13 halftime lead.
The Bears put together their only sustained drive of the game, marching 77 yards in 10 plays, with Clark scampering around left end untouched for a five-yard touchdown to make the score 21-19 with 6:05 left in the third quarter.
On the all-important two-point conversion attempt, however, Westfield cornerback Dave Jolicoeur (Wilbraham) batted down a pass in the end zone.
Jolicoeur also set up Westfield's final touchdown when he interecepted a pass at the Bridgewater 34. It took the Owls 12 plays to score, with Anderson sneaking in from 1 with 12:06 left in the fourth quarter.
Bridgewater's comeback attempt ended when Nick Leverone (Natick) intercepted a pass at the Westfield 2-yard line with 1:27 left in the game.
The Owls also had a big interception with time running out in the first half when Josh Mathieu (Fitchburg) picked off a pass at the Westfield 9. It was the senor cornerback's seventh interception, which ties the single-season school record.
Westfield held the potent Bridgewater running back to 132 yards on 36 carries. The Bears only ran 52 plays to Westfield's 75.
Bridgewater junior running back Justin Fuller (Berkley), who was ranked fifth nationally in rushing (151.4 yards per game) was held to 58 yards on 15 carries. Fuller only had seven yards on five carries in the first half.
The Bears finished with 243 yards in total offense and they completed 5 of 16 passes for 111 yards.
Westfield's leading tackler in the total team effort was strong safety Ryan O'Connell, who played a solid game with seven solo tackles and two pass breakups. Bear linebacker Justin Ferbert (East Bridgewater) posted a game-high 12 tackles.
Anderson rushed for 36 net yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. The sophomore signal caller also completed 9 of 19 passes for 113 yards. Dave Benoit (Ludlow) had five receptions for 70 yards.