Westfield State hosts Bridgewater State in a Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference game. Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Field on Saturday, September 29. Westfield enters the game with a 2-2 record, 1-1 in the MASCAC. Bridgewater State also comes into the game with a 2-2 record, 1-1 in the MASCAC.
Last Week: Westfield State defeated Worcester State, 42-22. Worcester State jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. Westfield State seized control of the game by scoring 29 points in the second quarter, and took a 29-22 lead to the locker room. The Owls capped the scoring with a 30-yard TD pass to Evan Garvey and a 1-yard touchdown run from Jake Cassidy. Travon Holder helped forge the big lead with 149 yards rushing and three TD's. Garvey chipped in with five catches for 85 yards. Bridgewater State enters off of a 42-15 win over Fitchburg State behind junior quarterback Stefano D'Emilia's three touchdown passes and 133 yards passing.
The Series: The Bears lead the all time series, 26-10. Bridgewater has won six straight in the rivalry since Westfield claimed a 10-7 win in 2011.
Last year: Bridgewater won 28-9 on their home field. Westfield led 3-0 and 9-7 in the second quarter until Bridgewater State scored 21 unanswered points. Alex McLaughlin led the way for Bridgewater scoring three touchdowns and rushed for 176 yards. For the Owls, Chris Belsito led the way on offense rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Westfield State on Offense: Travon Holder through four games leads the team with five touchdowns and has rushed for 276 yards. RJ Darby is the leading rusher on the team with 318 yards. Evan Garvey seems to be the go to receiver for quarterback Jake Cassidy, as Garvey leads the team with 10 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown. Cassidy has been a dual threat for the Owls, throwing for 397 yards and three touchdowns, and has rushed for 163 yards and a pair of scores as well.
Westfield on Defense: The MASCAC defensive player of the week Zach Howard leads the team with 29 tackles. He returned an interception 51 yards for a score last week.. Sophomore defensive back Brian Short leads the Owls with two interceptions this year. Senior Tyler Robbins has chipped in this year with 27 tackles and an interception. The Westfield defense has allowed 277.3 yards and 23.8 points a game this season.
Westfield on Special Teams: Cody Cleveland averages 38.2 a punt for the Owls. Garvey leads the team with an average of 16.1 yards on kick returns.
Bridgewater on Offense: Quarterback Stefano D 'Emilia leads the offense with 640 yards passing and has thrown for 6 touchdowns. Nick Santavicca is the leading rusher for Bridgewater, rushing for 386 yards and three touchdowns. D'Emilia's favorite targets are senior wide receivers Jack Lavanchy and Travis Basset. Lavanchy leads the team in catches (30), yards (308) and touchdowns (4). Basset has 17 catches for 231 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Bridgewater on Defense: Linebackers Michael Rosa and Mark Wilson lead the Bears on defense with 15 tackles each. Bridgewater's defense has allowed 23.8 points a game this year. Senior DL Chris Gemayel leads the team with two and a half sacks, and the Bears have three interceptions as a team through four games.
Bridgewater on Special Teams: D'Emilia does it all for Bridgewater, as he also averages 39.3 yards per punt. Chris Easter leads the team with an average of 18.2 yards on kick returns.
Media Coverage: Live Stats and web stream video are available at WestfieldStateOwls.com.
Up Next: Westfield State travel to Mass. Maritime for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference game Saturday October 6 with kickoff at noon. Bridgewater State will play at home on Friday nightm October 5 as they host Plymouth State.
-- Preview by Nick Suglia '19, student intern