FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The visiting Bridgewater State University football team posted a 21-7 victory over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Framingham State University on Saturday afternoon at Bowditch Field.

The Bears improve to 6-3 on the season and 6-1 in the MASCAC while the Rams fall to 4-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Bridgewater holds a 34-16 advantage in the all-time series which dates back to 1973.

Graduate running back Adam Couch (Winchendon, Mass.) rushed for 90 yards on a touchdown on 20 carries and added five receptions for 28 yards to pace the BSU offense. Senior quarterback James Cahoon (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) completed 19 of 25 pass attempts for 145 and touchdown with one interception while graduate receiver Michael Nocera (Cumberland, R.I.) hauled in seven receptions for 89 yards and a score.

Senior linebacker Brendan Albert (Canton, Mass.) led the Bears' defensive effort with seven tackles (five solo) including two for loss. The BSU defense did not allow any points as the Rams' only score of the day came on an interception return for a touchdown.

Senior linebacker Kodi Saotome (Warren, R.I.) added a team-best ten tackles (five solo) for the Bears while sophomore linebacker Victor Martinez (Haverhill, Mass.) notched five solo tackles and one for loss. Graduate safety Nathan Oliver (South Dartmouth, Mass.) recorded an interception and added two solo tackles.

Bridgewater scored on the opening possession of the game. A short kickoff and 25-yard return by junior Isaiah Wright (Worcester, Mass.) gave the Bears good field position at their own 47. Ten plays later, Cahoon connected with Nocera on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore kicker Joey Naso (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) booted the extra point to give the visitors the early 7-0 lead. Two key plays of the drive were a 15-yard pass to Nocera on third-and-20 from the Framingham 40 followed by a ten-yard pass to Couch to convert the first down.

The Rams answered with an 11-play, 47-yard drive that stalled at the BSU 12. A 29-yard field goal attempt, however, was pushed wide left.

The next four possession consisted of a Bridgewater fumble, back-to-back punts, and a Framingham fumble.

Taking over at their own 34, the Bears moved the ball 66 yards on 11 plays culminating in a four-yard TD run by junior running back Mack Driver (Mastic Beach, N.Y.). Naso's point after try was true as Bridgewater extended the lead to 14-0 with 6:19 left to play in the second quarter. Cahoon was 4-for-4 on the drive for 25 yards including a five-yard pass to Nocera on third-and-five from midfield.

The next three drives results in punts and Bridgewater had a chance to make it a three-score game late in the second quarter. A 21-yard pass from Cahoon to Nocera on fourth-and-two from the FSU 35 gave the Bears a first down at the Framingham 14 with just seconds showing on the scoreboard. After a timeout, Cahoon's pass was intercepted by senior linebacker Jared Martino (Malden, Mass.) at the one and returned 99 yards for a touchdown. Junior kicker Matt Farley (Middleboro, Mass.) drilled the PAT as the Rams cut the deficit to 14-7 heading into the break.

Framingham went three-and-out and was forced to punt on the opening possession of the second half. Bridgewater would capitalize. A 44-yard punt and 13-yard return by freshman Dan Taylor (Raynham, Mass.) gave the Bears the ball at their own 30. Couch capped off a nine-play, 70-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run and Naso knocked through the extra point to make it a 21-7 game with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter.

The Rams had first-and-goal at the BSU two on the ensuing drive but were unable to score as the Bears' defense came up big with a four-yard loss on first down followed by three straight incomplete passes. Framingham also moved the ball into the red zone on the opening possession of the fourth quarter and could not find the end zone. The BSU defense made a huge stop on fourth-and-one from the 11 to end any hopes of a Ram comeback.

Bridgewater finished with 305 yards of total offense (160 rushing, 145 passing). The Bears went 6-for-14 (43%) on third down and a perfect 3-for-3 on fourth down.

Framingham amassed 262 yards of total offense (123 rushing, 139 passing). The Rams went 5-for-15 (33%) on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down.

Both teams threw an interception and lost one fumble.

Senior punter Shane Drake (Franklin, Mass.) led the BSU effort on special teams. Drake averaged 42 yards on five punts with a long of 57 and one inside the 20. He also averaged 56.3 yards on four kickoffs. Naso went 3-for-3 in point after tries to extend his PAT streak to 33.

Senior running back Devaun Ford (Mashpee, Mass.) paced the Framingham offense with 99 rushing yards on 22 carries. Junior quarterback EJ Nichols (Burlington Township, N.J.) completed 16 of 33 pass attempts for 139 yards and an interception.

Martino added ten tackles (five solo), including one for loss, to his 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. Senior safety Chase Buono (Lynn, Mass.) and junior linebacker Najier Monteiro (Fall River, Mass.) tallied 11 tackles apiece.

Both teams wrap up regular season play next Saturday at noon. The Bears travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to take on the Buccaneers in the 44th Annual Cranberry Bowl while the Rams head to Worcester State University to battle the Lancers.

Notes: Couch increased his BSU career rushing total to 2714 yards and 32 touchdowns as he moved into fifth place on the Bears' all-time rushing list and tied Justin Fuller (2009-2011) for seventh place in career rushing touchdowns.