By Jim Fenton, 2013 Crimson & White Award, Retired Staff Writer (The Enterprise)
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Three years into the annual Cranberry Bowl series, there was frustration building for the Bridgewater State football team.
Pitted against rival Massachusetts Maritime Academy to play for the Cranberry Scoop starting in 1979, the Bears lost the first three games by scores of 8-3, 10-7 and 28-7.
And the streak looked like it might continue in 1982 with Bridgewater State facing a Buccaneers team that was 7-1 heading into the November 20 game at Bourne.
Instead, 40 years ago this month, the Bears finally broke through with a 23-14 road victory over Mass. Maritime for their first victory in the Cranberry Bowl series.
Bridgewater State and Mass. Maritime continue the bowl tradition Saturday afternoon in the 43rd edition at Swenson Field with the Bears holding a 31-10-1 lead, their dominance beginning with that win four decades ago.
"I remember that game like it was just yesterday,'' said co-captain Vinny Harte, who caught a 46-yard touchdown pass for the Bears. "What I remember the most is being heavy underdogs. Most people counted us out, but not us.
"We came out and just weren't going to lose. It was getting old. We lost the first three games and they had some good teams. But the seniors on that team, we had chips on our shoulders.
"We were angry about it and it was fuel for us. We did something that day that can never be taken away. We got that first win.''
Bridgewater State, which finished 5-3-1, jumped to a 20-0 lead by scoring on a one-yard run by quarterback Kevin Cobban, a 20-yard TD pass from Cobban to Ron McCarthy and the Harte score.
Mass. Maritime responded with a 25-yard TD run by Steve Crowley late in the third quarter and a 24-yard Crowley reception from Jim O'Neill with 8:47 remaining, cutting the Bridgewater State lead to 20-14. But a Mark Boudrot field goal in the final minute stalled the comeback and gave the Bears their first Cranberry Bowl win.
"We all knew as seniors that would be the last game we'd ever play and put more importance on it,'' said co-captain Bob Devereaux, who was credited with 22 tackles and had a critical late-game interception. "That game was the cherry on top of the sundae for us.
"I remember prior to that game, the seniors got together in the locker room and were talking about what it's going to mean to win.''
Bridgewater State's defense was led by Devereaux, Dennis Lopes (20 tackles), Jim Hachey (19 tackles) and John Fournier (17 tackles) along with Brian Walker (two of his team's five interceptions).
"I remember we had lost the year before (by 21 points) and they had a better team in 1982. They were loaded,'' said Fournier. "They had a really good team but we played a great game.
"I'll never forget the end of the game. Bob Devereaux and Vin Harte had the Scoop and we carried (Head Coach Pete Mazzaferro) off the field. It was great.''
When Bridgewater State and Mass. Maritime meet again for possession of the Scoop, members of that 1982 Bears team along with coaches and cheerleaders will be on hand to remember the program's first Cranberry Bowl win 40 years ago.
"That was one of those days when everything just happened to click,'' said McCarthy, who was named the Lee Harrington most valuable player award winner after catching seven passes for 101 yards and a second-quarter TD. "I remember the first play of the game was a double pass and I threw to Vin Harte, who was tackled at the 1-yard line. That started it all.
"The ride home that day was fun and that night was even better. It was a good time, a good way to end for us. Being the first Bridgewater guy to get the Lee Harrington award was pretty special.''