Bridgewater State found a new challenge
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It was formidable competition, but Denune wanted to get paired with a foe from Upper New York State or New Jersey, someone he hadn’t seen, as used to be the case. He wanted that barometer to find out where the Bears stacked up against someone from the outside.
That’s why he was looking for a new team to put on the schedule.
“We wanted to know where we were against somebody who is going to be in the national hunt,” Denune said.
That’s why he scheduled Rowan to open the 2008 season.
The Bears played the Profs tough before falling 24-14.
“We came out of it thinking what we thought before, that we’re close but not quite there yet. We’ve got some work to do,” he said.
The next week brought a tough 32-27 loss to UMass-Dartmouth.
This week the Bears got their win, outgunning Salve Regina 42-18.
Denune knew his team had to slow down Salve quarterback Jeff St. Onge who was coming off a great performance in Salve Regina’s opening-week win that landed him NEFC and ECAC Player of the Week honors.
“That was definitely a game plan,” Denune said. “We watched him on film and knew we had to keep him contained.
“That had been a problem for us. Our defensive ends were getting in there but they were kind of out of control.”
So the coaching staff moved 6-5, 250-pound Chris Dijak from defensive end to tackle and the pressure he applied on St. Onge up the middle made a big difference.
Denune still came away impressed with St. Onge.
“He’s a good quarterback. He’s going to give people problems,” Denune said.
Bridgewater quarterback Jerry Resende rushed for two touchdowns among his 81 yards.
He played in the storied Brockton (Mass.) High program and was part of the Boxers’ 2005 Super Bowl team. He had been out of school a couple of years and decided to visit Bridgewater on a recruiting day.
“He’s a local so we were aware of who he was,” Denune said. “He’s found a good fit. Getting a college education is important to him.”
Now, the season becomes important with a trip to Maine Maritime, the first NEFC divisional game for the Bears.
The Mariners are coming off a wild 42-35 victory over Western New England in which fullback Jim Bower led Maritime by rushing for three touchdowns.
WNEC quarterback Justin Walz set school records in that game by completing 43 of 62 passes for 438 yards. Walz also ran for two scores.
“Going up to Maine always means a physical game,” Denune said. “They are always physical. They have a system and they run it well.”
Midd QB better than ever
New England Small College Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year Donald McKillop has benefited from a season in the offense.
“A lot of the timing stuff is already better,” McKillop said. “And I have the same receivers back and most of the offensive line.
“A lot of the plays are crisper than they were last year and we have the ability to be more complex.”
Any poise he gained from his first season was needed Saturday when the defending NESCAC champions found themselves trailing Bowdoin 19-7 in the second quarter.
Middlebury outscored the Polar Bears 35-9 from there as McKillop had career highs of 27 completions and 344 passing yards in the 42-38 victory. It was the highest scoring game in the series.
McKillop was 27-of-31 with five of the completions going to Andrew Matson for 114 yards.
McKillop, who came across country from Poway, Calif., had other offers, including some from Division I-AA schools.
“I liked what Middlebury had to offer and that I could also play baseball here,” he said.
He batted .311 for the Panthers in the spring.
He spent the summer back home in California, using much of the time to get ready for the season.
“I’d wake up and go to the gym or the high school field, depending on the day,” he said “I took a lot of relaxation time, too, because I didn’t have a job.”
His next job will be in Waterville, Maine against 0-1 Colby.
Last minute heroics
Framingham State quarterback Bruce Rich tossed a 3-yard pass with just eight seconds remaining to lift Framingham State to a 42-28 victory over MIT in a shootout that saw 980 yards of total offense.
That was just a piece of a big day for Rich who went 22-of-29 for 361 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for two scores. The game leaves both teams with 2-1 records.
Little Papi
There’s room for more than one Papi in the Boston area. Angelo Ortiz caught the winning touchdown pass from Phil Konopka to give Endicott a 21-17 win over Mass. Maritime.
At 5-11, 195 pounds, this Ortiz would be the Little Papi.
He will hope to come up big again this week when Endicott hosts Salve Regina.
Future NAC rivalry?
Julius Williams rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns to help the Husson Eagles past Norwich 25-19. Williams was a workhorse with 34 carries.
“I think this will be a good rivalry,” Norwich coach Shawn McIntyre said of the series that will become a conference game next year when the North Atlantic Conference makes its debut.
NAC charter members Gallaudet and Becker came out on the losing end. Gallaudet fell 34-0 to Greensboro and Becker to neighboring WPI by a score of 47-7.
The big game
Williams and Colby played a scoreless first half in their NESCAC opener, but Williams caught fire and won 25-0.
Perennial power Trinity defeated Bates 17-7, setting up a game between two 1-0 teams that are almost always NESCAC title contenders when Trinity travels to Williams this week.
Plymouth State, coming off an impressive 26-7 victory over Coast Guard, will look to keep its momentum going in another key game in the NEFC by hosting UMass-Dartmouth.
Jeffs intercept Hamilton
The Amherst Lord Jeffs hauled in four interceptions in cruising past Hamilton 30-6 in their NESCAC opener.
The Hamilton secondary was not nearly as stellar as it was riddled by Amherst sophomore quarterback Alex Vetras. He celebrated his college debut by throwing for three touchdowns.
Streaking
Curry won its 33rd straight game against NEFC teams and its 31st consecutive game at home. Ryan Van De Giesen led the way in the 42-16 win over previously unbeaten Westfield State by throwing for three scores and running for another.
Nichols cashes in with Oberg
Kevin Oberg passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more to lead Nichols past Worcester State 33-25.
Oberg came on early in the third quarter and went 9-of-13 for 131 yards. He and starting quarterback Justin Nelson combined for 268 passing yards.
The win lifts the Bison to 2-1 going into their first game in Boyd Division play this week at MIT.