Box Score BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – UMass Dartmouth was held to just 278 yards offense on Friday evening, as Bridgewater State snatched an interception with 50 ticks left in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 27-19 victory in MASCAC competition.
The Basics
Score: Bridgewater State 27, UMass Dartmouth 19
Records: Bridgewater State (4-2, 4-0 MASCAC) | UMass Dartmouth (3-3, 2-2 MASCAC)
How it Happened
The Bears jumped on the scoring quickly, completing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Malik Garrett (Dorchester, Mass.) on their opening drive. UMass Dartmouth gained its first quality scoring opportunity later in the quarter after senior Scott Tupper (Holden, Mass.) intercepted a Danny Higgins (Manahawkin, N.J.) throw on the BSU 26 yard line. The Corsairs converted, with Johnny Mims (Dorchester, Mass.) taking the ball a short five yards for the touchdown.
UMass Dartmouth tied the game at 13 midway through the second, when Cory Burnham (Essex, Mass.) found John Beardsley (Essex, Mass.) for a 34-yard touchdown reception with 9:11 remaining. With 1:27 remaining before the break, BSU running back Alex McLaughlin (Littleton, Mass.) punched in his team's third touchdown to send the Bears into half with a 20-13 lead.
An uneventful third quarter gave way to the Corsairs resurging in the fourth. Beardsley collected his second touchdown pass from Burnham on the night, this time for 28 yards. The extra point attempt fell short though, and UMass Dartmouth continued to trail, 20-19.
Garrett added another touchdown run minutes later to cap a 65-yard Bridgewater State drive, and UMass Dartmouth reclaimed possession with 2:06 remaining. Junior Eddie Sheridan (Chelmsford, Mass.) broke free for a 25-yard dash, and the Corsairs looked primed to keep moving the chains, but an offensive pass interference call pulled the visitors back. On the next play, BSU's Juan Gonzalez (Lawrence, Mass.) intercepted Burnham's pass to effectively end the game.
Inside the Numbers
- UMass Dartmouth was held to just 177 rushing yards on the night, as BSU stifled the ground game that had been averaging 339 rushing yards per outing.
- The Corsairs mustered just one more yard rushing than their season-low performance of 176 yards two weeks ago against Plymouth State.
- Sheridan again surpassed 100 yards rushing as he has in all five of his outings this season; this time he rolled up 113 yards on 17 carries.
- Beardsley wrapped up a career-high 88 receiving yards on five catches, scoring multiple touchdowns for the first time.
- Burnham threw for 101 yards on the night, completing eight passes and tying his season-long completion with the 34-yard toss to Beardsley.
- Senior Kevin Wadsworth (Bridgewater, Mass.) saw a season-high eight punts on the night, putting two within the 20-yard line and launching a career-long 51-yarder.
- Bridgewater State's McLaughlin posted the most rushing yards by a single back on the Corsair defense so far this season, rolling up a career-high 207 rushing yards.
- Tupper's interception marked the fourth on his career, while junior Brandon Miller (Holden, Mass.) scooped up his first career fumble recovery.
- Pacing the defensive effort for UMass Dartmouth was sophomore Tony Slaughter (Springfield, Mass.) with nine tackles, including eight solo stops.
Up Next
UMass Dartmouth stays on the road next Saturday, making the trek to Worcester State for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
