College Football: Bridgewater State Earns Overtime Victory

By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- There was a festive atmosphere on the campus of Bridgewater State University throughout the day on Saturday.

With homecoming weekend in full swing, there were plenty of visitors on hand for various activities.

The BSU football team did its part to contribute to that festive atmosphere.

With a crowd of 2,312 looking on at Swenson Field, the Bears rallied from a 14-point deficit and defeated Plymouth State University, 29-23, in double overtime to stay perfect in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

A 1-yard run by Malik Garrett broke a tie in the second OT after freshman Dylan Anti intercepted a pass in the end zone to prevent the Panthers from taking a lead.

“What a game. What a win,’’ said Bears coach Joe Verria after his team won its fifth straight game following an 0-2 start.

BSU, which is atop the MASCAC standings with three games remaining, overcame six turnovers and several injuries to get past Plymouth State (4-2, 2-2).

The Bears, who took part in their first OT game since beating Coast Guard on Oct. 9, 2010, were down, 14-0, at halftime and were struggling on offense with quarterback Danny Higgins in and out of the lineup due to a shoulder injury.

But BSU found a way to stay perfect in the conference.

“Nobody quit,’’ said Verria. “The kids have been doing it all year. Guys have been hurt all year and everybody has stepped up all year.

“We had a defensive back (Reda Laftih) go down (with an injury) and we put another kid (Anti) in, and he’s the kid who made the pick in the end zone to win the game basically. This is a mentally tough team.’’

The Bears forced OT when Garrett scored on a 2-yard run with 9:01 left in the fourth quarter to make it 20-20.

BSU had chances to win in regulation but turned the ball over three times in the final 5:32.

In the first OT, Russell Bolarinho hit a 27-yard field goal to give the Bears a 23-20 lead, but Jeff Madden responded with a 26-yard field goal to send the game into the second OT.

The Panthers took advantage of a pass interference call to get to the BSU 8 in the second OT, but Plymouth South High graduate Anti intercepted the pass to stop the bid.

Garrett, moved from wide receiver to quarterback with Higgins ailing, took a direct snap and scored the game-winning TD on second down.

Higgins was hurt in the first half, and was replaced for a series by freshman Stefano D’Emilia of Bridgewater as well as Garrett and Alex McLaughlin. Higgins continued coming back in the second half and for part of the OTs.

“Higgins is one of the toughest kids that’s been here at quarterback,’’ said Verria of the senior, who was 24-for-41 for 273 yards and four interceptions. “When he was out, it was next man up. Malik came in, Alex came in. It’s great how guys are stepping up.’’

After falling into the 14-0 hole in the first half, the Bears got on the scoreboard with 6:17 to go in the third quarter.

Jack Lavanchy caught a 29-yard TD pass from Higgins and Bolarinho’s kick made it 14-7. The Bears recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Plymouth State 45 and scored 1:06 later, McLaughlin diving in from a yard out.

The point after was blocked, leaving BSU down, 14-13. The Panthers opened a 20-13 lead with 2:15 to go in the quarter on a 17-yard Mitch Banuskevich reception, their last touchdown of the day.

“We came out slow and flat and we woke up,’’ said Verria as a fireworks display lit up the sky over the field. “We had six turnovers but nobody gave up. Everybody was stepping up and making a play.

“It was a great win on a great day. Homecoming’s a special time.’’