BIDDEFORD, Maine – The University of New England football team held off Bridgewater State University, 38-23, on Saturday afternoon at Blue Storm Stadium.
The Nor' easters improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Bears fall to 0-2.
Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Henault (Goffstown, N.H.) threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns and added a pair of rushing touchdowns to lead the way for the Nor'easters.
UNE jumped out to a 31-3 halftime lead as the Nor'easters dominated play over the first 30 minutes.
The Nor'easters scored on each of their first three possessions with Henault rushing for a pair of touchdowns and connecting with sophomore wide receiver A.J. DeFilio (Durham, Conn.) on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Henault added a 17-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Mikey Brennan (Dedham, Mass.) in the second quarter, while senior kicker Robert Inniss Jr. (Windham, Maine) connected for a 29-yard field goal.
The Bears' lone score of the first half came on a 23-yard field goal by junior kicker Shane Drake (Franklin, Mass.).
Bridgewater turned the ball over twice in the first half (one which led to a UNE score) and recorded 148 yards of total offense.
The Bears changed the momentum of the game in the third quarter. Sophomore Brandon Medeiros (Somerset, Mass.) blocked a punt and then recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-9. The PAT, however, was missed after a 15-yard penalty made it a much longer attempt. The touchdown for Medeiros marked the first of his collegiate career.
After a stop, the Bears moved the ball 75 yards on 13 plays resulting in a 12-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback James Cahoon (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) to sophomore tight end Jalen Kopecky (Warren, R.I.). The PAT was good as the visitors pulled to within two scores at 31-16.
Bridgewater was unable to capitalize on a missed field goal and then gave the Nor'easters outstanding field position at the BSU 38 following a short punt. UNE took advantage of the situation and two plays later, after the game moved to the fourth quarter, Henault connected with DeFilio on a 37-yard touchdown to thwart any attempts of a Bears' comeback.
The visitors put together one final scoring drive to account for the final score of 38-23. The Bears moved the ball 80 yards on 16 plays with Cahoon punching it into the end zone from five yards out. The drive, however, chewed up more than six minutes (6:20) off the clock.
Cahoon completed 28 of 53 pass attempts for 264 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Senior running back Adam Couch (Winchendon, Mass.) rushed for 71 yards on 18 carries. Senior wide receiver Michael Nocera (Cumberland, R.I.) hauled in eight receptions for 73 yards, while classmate Kyle Torres (Waltham, Mass.) caught seven passes for 56 yards.
The Bears finished with 387 yards of total offense (239 in the second half) and turned the ball over four times (two interceptions, two fumbles). UNE recorded 421 yards of total offense with no interceptions or fumbles.
Senior linebacker Brendan Albert (Canton, Mass.) led the BSU defensive effort with a game-high 13 tackles (six solo). Junior linebacker Kodi Saotome (Warren, R.I.) checked in with ten tackles including one for loss, while graduate safety Andre Domond (Cambridge, Mass.) broke up two passes and added three solo tackles.
Junior defensive back Mike Lemay (Wallingford, Conn.) notched seven tackles (three solo) and a pair of pass breakups for the Nor'Easters, while freshman defensive back Chris Winslow (Springfield, Mass.) recorded six tackles (three solo), an interception and a pass breakup. Senior defensive back Ryan Turner (Shrewsbury, Mass.) added five tackles (three solo) and a pick.
Next Saturday, the Bears open Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) on the road against Plymouth State University. Kickoff is slated for noon. The Nor'easters entertain Gallaudet University also at noon.