CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University football team opened the 2023 season with a 41-27 setback to MIT on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.
The Engineers (1-0) are now 1-4 all-time versus the Bears (0-1) as the two teams were meeting for the first time since playing four straight seasons from 1998 to 2001.
Freshman running back Carson Phelps (Wichita, Kan.) rushed for a game-high 144 yards on 20 carries and hauled in four receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown to lead the way for MIT. Sophomore quarterback Chase Harmon (West Linn, Ore.) completed 21 of 32 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers with an interception.
BSU senior quarterback James Cahoon (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) completed 25 of 46 pass attempts for a game-high 340 yards and four touchdowns also to four different receivers. The 340 passing marked the third highest single-game total in program history. Cahoon became the third quarterback in program history to surpass the 5,000-yard passing milestone as he increased his career total to 5,306.
Bears' graduate running back Adam Couch (Winchendon, Mass.) rushed for 85 yards on 19 attempts and added five receptions for 29 yards. Couch became the 13th back in program history to hit the 2,000-yard rushing barrier (2,083 yds).
MIT led 20-7 late in the first half as Harmon connected on scoring strikes of eight, eight and 21 yards. Cahoon hooked up with junior wide receiver Dan Akinsheye (Pawtucket, R.I.) on a 68-yard touchdown pass to get the Bears on the board midway through the second quarter.
After Harmon found sophomore tight end Alex Theriault (Boxford, Mass.) in the end zone from 21 yards out late in the quarter, Cahoon answered with an eight-play, 74-yard drive culminating in a 16-yard TD pass to senior tight end Ryan Burchard (Holliston, Mass.) with just 13 seconds showing on the scoreboard. The PAT was no goof as the Bears trailed 20-13 heading into the break.
The Bears opened the third quarter with a five-play, 66-yard drive with Cahoon dropping in a 40-yard touchdown pass to graduate wide receiver Michael Nocera (Cumberland, R.I.). Sophomore kicker Joey Naso (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) converted the extra point to knot the score at 20-20.
After the next three possessions resulted in punts, the Bears had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Taking over at the MIT 38, Cahoon connected with junior wide receiver Jack McCarthy (Braintree, Mass.) on a 28-yard pass to moved the ball down to the ten. Three consecutive incomplete passes, however, brought the field goal unit out and the 27-yard attempt was blocked by junior defensive back Ryan Hourican (Staten Island, N.Y.).
The Engineers promptly marched 85 yards on six plays with Harmon tossing his fourth touchdown pass, an 18-yard strike to junior wide receiver Daniel Monaghan (Northfield, Minn.), to give the hosts a 27-20 advantage.
Following a BSU punt, Harmon was picked off by Bears' junior safety Zachary Souza (Tyngsboro, Mass.) near midfield. Bridgewater turned the turnover into points as nine plays later Cahoon found McCarthy in the back of the end zone on fourth and three from the MIT 17. The Naso point after try was true and the game was knotted at 27-27 with 11:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.
MIT answered with the first of two long scoring drives in the final period. An eight-play, 68-yard drive resulted in a three-yard touchdown run by senior running back Brady Klein (Washington, Ill.). After Bridgewater was forced to punt, Klein put the finishing touches on a seven-play, 84-yard drive with a two-yard TD run to secure the 41-27 victory.
The Engineers amassed 433 yards of total offense (178 rushing, 255 passing) and went 7-for-13 on third down.
The Bears finished with 438 yards of total offense (98 rushing, 340 passing) but went just 3-for-14 on third down and 2-for-5 on fourth down.
Hourican notched seven tackles (five solo) and a pass breakup to go along with his blocked kick to pace the MIT defense. Graduate linebacker Theo Dawson (Jackson, Wyo. checked in with seven tackles including two for loss for the Engineers, while sophomore linebacker Chase Williams (Missoula, Mont.) notched a team-high eight tackles (five solo).
Senior linebacker Brendan Albert (Canton, Mass.) recorded nine tackles (five solo) and a pass breakup for the Bears, while graduate safety Nathan Oliver (South Dartmouth, Mass.) also finished with nine stops (six solo). Souza contributed six tackles (three solo) in addition to his interception.
Next weekend, the Bears entertain the Engineers of WPI on Friday night (Sept. 8) at seven o'clock. Prior to the start of the game, the turf field at the Swenson Athletic Complex will officially be named in honor of legendary Bridgewater State football coach Peter Mazzaferro.
MIT is off until Saturday, September 16th when the Engineers travel to Curry College for a one o'clock game with the Colonels.