/seasons/2018/contrib/20180901nqqa7b

Defense, Big Scoring Plays Lead Eagles in Season-Opening Win

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Bridgewater College football team started out 2018 with a 34-17 win at Gettysburg, combining a dominating defensive performance with three scoring plays of 40+ yards.

Bridgewater got nine tackles and an interception from both Joe Caron and Matt Dang. Dang returned his pick for a touchdown, while Caron also forced a fumble.

Deshomd Denny totaled nine tackles and 1.5 sacks, Re'Shaun Myers had seven tackles, and Da'Sean Davis added a sack and two tackles for loss.

Trey Stephens caught two passes, both for long touchdowns totaling 72 yards that bookended the scoring. Demetreus Jalepes rushed for 79 yards and a score.

It took just 72 seconds for Bridgewater to grab its first lead of the season. On third down, Jay Scroggins went over the top to Stephens for a 52-yard score, making it 6-0 after a blocked PAT.

The Eagle defense forced two three-and-outs to start the game. Jose Gonzalez then ripped a 53-yard punt down to the two-yard line; Gettysburg moved the chains for the first time on the next play, but a Davis sack helped quickly end another drive.

The field position battle paid off for Bridgewater early in the second quarter. Scroggins coverted a 4th-and-1 dive at the 10-yard line, and Chad Jones caught a jump ball TD to make it 13-0.

The BC defense had allowed just 34 yards heading into the final drive of the first half, but the Eagles hurt themselves with an interception deep in Bullets territory that was returned back to the Gettysburg 34. Chase Fee caught a 10-yard TD pass with 47 seconds left to make it just 13-7 heading into the break.

Gonzalez flipped field position again in the third quarter with a 60-yard boot to the Gettysburg 16 after several penalties left BC deep in their own half. Matt Dang stepped in front of a pass and broke down the left sideline for a 41-yard pick-six.

Gettysburg cut it to 20-10 with a field goal late in the third and tried an onside kick that was covered by Richard Wojno. Jalepes went 52 yards right up the middle for a score with three seconds left in the quarter that made it 27-10.

Despite a Caron interception in the fourth quarter, the Bullets got one back with a touchdown drive. The Eagle defense made a big fourth down stop with 5:33 remaining however, and Stephens' second long TD catch of the day made it 34-17.

Bridgewater (1-0) will host Stevenson next Saturday night for the Eagles' home opener.

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
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