Gulls Complete Improbable Comeback Vs. Bridgewater State, 29-28

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Joe Kalosky's (Plymouth, Conn.) 31-yard touchdown pass to Sheilan Velazquez (West Haven, Conn.) with no time remaining on the clock helped lift the Endicott football team to a thrilling 29-28 victory over Bridgewater State University (BSU) on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field. 

Trailing 28-22 with 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Gulls moved the ball 92 yards on nine plays. A 51-yard Kalosky to Brendan Johnson (Weare, N.H.) pass reception on 4th and 10 from the Endicott eight-yard line kept the drive alive. On 2nd and 20 from the BSU 31 with just 10 seconds left to play, Kalosky rolled to his left and tossed one up to Velazquez who caught the ball at the goal line as time expired. 

Kalosky completed 21-of-38 pass attempts on the day for 282 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. 

Alex McLaughlin paced the Bridgewater State offense with 152 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns. He moved into fifth place on the Bears' all-time rushing list as he increased his career total to 2,611 yards. 

McLaughlin broke off a 59-yard TD run midway through the third quarter to pull the Bears to within three at 19-16. After John Glaser (East Moriches, N.Y.) booted a 29-yard field goal to extend the Endicott lead to 22-16 late in the fourth quarter, Bridgewater responded with an 11-play, 59-yard drive with McLaughlin punching it in from a yard out to knot the score at 22-all. The extra point attempt, however, slid wide left. 

After forcing a punt, Bridgewater went 75 yards on six plays with Jonathan Marrero (Boston, Mass.) hooking up with Brandon Giles (Old Bridge, N.J.) on a 19-yard touchdown reception to give the Bears a 28-22 lead. The ensuing point after try, however, was blocked. 

That would set the stage for the Gulls game-tying touchdown with no time showing on the scoreboard. Glaser then calmly knocked through the extra point attempt to win the game.

Endicott opened the scoring with 1:18 remaining in the first quarter as Kalosky connected with Riley Shanley (Simsbury, Conn.) on a 42-yard touchdown pass. The quick drive took just two plays and went 68 yards. 

Early in the second quarter, an outstanding punt by Stefano D'Emilia (Bridgewater, Mass.) pinned the Gulls at their own three-yard line, Following a false start penalty, Endicott was flagged for holding in the end zone which resulted in a BSU safety. 

Trailing 7-2 later in the period, the Bears moved the ball 93 yards on seven plays capped off by a 26-yard TD pass from Marrero to Malik Garrett (Dorchester, Mass.). The two-point attempt, however, was unsuccessful as Bridgewater led 8-7 with 3:49 left until halftime. 

A 24-yard scoring strike from Kalosky to Shanley put the Gulls back on top, 13-8, early in the third quarter. Endicott was unable to convert the two-point try. Kalosky then found Zach DeNike (Old Tappan, N.J.) in the end zone from nine yards out with 6:33 left to play in the third to make it a 19-8 game. The PAT was blocked. 

That would set the stage for the entertaining finish as the two teams combined to score 36 points over the final 21 minutes and 33 seconds. 

Marrero completed 6 of 13 passes for 126 yards and a pair of scores. He also rushed for 60 yards on 13 attempts. Jack Lavanchy (Walpole, Mass.) led all receivers with seven catches for 110 yards, while Garrett caught four passes for 69 yards and a score and Giles hauled in three receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. 

D'Emilia threw for 113 yards on 8 of 19 passing. He also had a solid day punting as he averaged 34.4 yards on eight punts and placed three inside the ten. 

The Bears registered 451 yards of total offense including 212 on the ground. 

Reda Laftih (Quincy, Mass.) paced the BSU defense with eight tackles (seven solo), including one for loss, to go along with three pass breakups. Charles McCarthy (North Reading, Mass.) checked in with seven solo tackles with one for loss, while Cristian Rivera (Lawrence, Mass.) broke up three passes and recorded three tackles (two solo). 

Shanley caught six passes for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Lavante Wiggins (Pittsfield, Mass.) led the Gulls' running attack with 75 yards on 14 carries. Endicott finished with 412 yards of total offense with 282 coming through the air. 

William Rivera (Orangeburg, N.Y.) led all players with nine tackles (seven solo). He also came up with the key blocked kick on the point after try following the Bears' final touchdown. 

Next week, the Bears (0-2) host MASCAC rival Framingham State University on Friday night at seven, while the Gulls (1-1) travel to MIT on Saturday afternoon for a one o'clock game with the Engineers. 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)

(major portions of this release courtesy of BSU Sports Information)