BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University head football coach Joe Verria announced the Bears’ 2020 team captains, naming senior offensive lineman Daniel Flores Martinez (Hyde Park, Mass.), senior linebacker John MacDermott (Bridgewater, Mass.), senior wide receiver Ryan Verria (Bridgewater, Mass.) and junior linebackers Michael Rosa (Uxbridge, Mass.) and Steven Silvia (Dighton, Mass.) as team leaders.

Flores Martinez started all ten games at left tackle last season. The All-MASCAC First Team selection helped the BSU offensive line pave the way for 3,935 yards of total offense in 2019 including 2,394 yards through the air and 1,541 on the ground. Bridgewater State averaged 31 points a game thanks in part to the outstanding play of the o-line.

MacDermott also started all ten games a year ago and recorded 49 tackles (22 solo) with 3 ½ tackles for loss to go along with a forced and recovered fumble. In 21 games over two seasons in a BSU uniform, MacDermott has amassed 91 tackles (49 solo).

Verria appeared in all ten games in 2019 and caught ten passes for 100 yards. Also a key player on special teams, Verria has recorded 11 tackles with eight solo stops over the last two seasons.

Rosa returns to the gridiron after missing all of last season due to injury. As a rookie in 2018, Rosa garnered All-MASCAC Second Team honors. He notched 70 tackles (44 solo) in ten games with 5 ½ tackles for loss, 2 ½ sacks, an interception, a pair of pass breakups, a forced and recovered fumble.

Silvia led the Bears with 72 tackles (42 solo) in 2019, including 8 1/2 for loss and a pair of sacks. He also recorded three pass breakups to go along with a forced and recovered fumble. Silvia has started all 21 games since arriving on the BSU campus in 2018. The two-time All-MASCAC First Team selection has amassed 130 career tackles (81 solo), 16 tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions, six pass breakups and three recovered fumbles.

Bridgewater State is slated to open the 2020 campaign on the road at Morrisville State on Saturday, September 5th (noon), in a non-conference game in Morrisville, New York. The Bears are scheduled to play their home-opener against visiting St. John Fisher College in another non-league game on Saturday, September 12th (noon) at Swenson Field.

The MASCAC schedule gets underway on Saturday, September 19th when the Bears head to Western Connecticut State University for a four o’clock game with the Colonials. The 2020 Homecoming Game on Saturday, September 26th (4:00 PM) will feature MASCAC foe Fitchburg State University. In the regular season finale on Saturday, November 14th (noon), the Bears will entertain conference rival Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the 42nd Annual Cranberry Bowl.