Sep 07, 2024
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore running back Carson Phelps (Wichita, Kan.) totaled 172 total yards and a career-high three touchdowns to lead the MIT football team to a 37-17 non-conference win over Bridgewater State University on Saturday evening at Peter Mazzaferro Field.
Phelps ran for a pair of scores and caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from junior Thomas Stueber (West Islip, N.Y.) at the end of the first half to lead the Engineers to the victory. Stueber finished the contest 12-for-17 passing for 148 yards passing and two scores.
THE BASICS:
- Score: MIT 37, Bridgewater State 17
- Records: MIT (1-0 Overall); Bridgewater State (0-1 Overall)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Bridgewater State opened the scoring in the first quarter when senior SP Pragano (Northford, Conn.) hit classmate Jack McCarthy (Braintree, Mass.) with a short two-yard pass to cap an 11-play, 65-yard drive with a Bears touchdown.
- MIT countered on the next possession, driving 75 yards on seven plays, including back-to-back runs of 13 and 19 yards from Phelps, before first year Brendan Spellman (Bay Village, Ohio) punched in a three-yard touchdown run. The point after was blocked, allowing the Bears to hold on to the 7-6 lead.
- On the next Bridgewater State possession, MIT junior Chase Williams (Missoula, Mont.) shifted the game in the Engineers favor with his first career interception. MIT quickly took advantage, as Phelps and the offensive line worked the ball down the field with runs of 13 and eight yards before a one-yard push into the end zone put MIT ahead, 13-7.
- After 16 plays and 72 yards, the MIT defense stalled the hosts at the three-yard line on Bridgewater State's next possession. A 20-yard field goal by junior Joey Naso (Hopewell Junction, NY) cut the lead to three, 13-10, but MIT would follow with 10-straight points to take a 22-10 lead into the half.
- Stueber found Phelps for a 41-yard score on the next MIT drive before sophomore Connor McHale (Attleboro, Mass.) made a heads-up play on the ensuing kickoff, recovering the football at the Bridgewater State two-yard line when the Bears failed to field it on the return. A holding call set the Engineers back but three Bridgewater State penalties, including a pair of pass interference calls, helped MIT work the ball back to the one. With just two seconds on the clock, first year Luke Pelletier (Williamsburg, Va.) knocked in an 18-yard field goal to put MIT up 22-10 at the break.
- Bridgewater State went three-and-out on the opening possession of the second half but a muffed punt return for the Engineers gave the hosts another chance at the MIT 20-yard line and they capitalized. An MIT penalty and runs of seven and five yards from senior Trevor Nunes (East Falmouth, Mass.) cut the deficit to 22-17 with 12:49 to play in the third quarter.
- Bridgewater State would get no closer than a five-point deficit in the second half. The Engineers closed the next drive with a touchdown, as Stueber completed a slick pass over the middle to sophomore tight end Michael Dennison (Beaufort, S.C.) for six. Pelletier tacked on the extra point to make the score 29-17 at the 9:30 mark.
- MIT carried the 29-17 lead into the fourth quarter. Phelps capped off the day with his second score on the ground, rushing seven yards to complete an eight play 32-yard drive. Stueber connected with first year Parker McClain (Germantown, Md.) on a two-point conversion to make the score 37-17.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- First year linebacker Wyatt Alford (Brookhaven, Ga.) totaled a game-high 12 tackles, including eight solo tackles, for the Engineers. No other player had more than four solo tackles. McHale was second on the MIT defense with six total tackles.
- Pelletier's second quarter field goal was the first of his career. He finished the game 1-for-1 on field goals and 2-for-4 on extra points.
- Nunes totaled 63 yards on 20 carries for Bridgewater St. Senior Isaiah Wright (Worcester, MA) added 51 yards on nine carries for the Bears.
- MIT topped Bridgewater State for the second straight season and the second time in the all-time series. The two teams had not met since 2001 prior to the 2023 season.
UP NEXT:
- Following a bye week, MIT will welcome Alfred State to Henry G. Steinbrenner '27 Stadium first the team's home opener on Saturday, September 21 at noon.
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