BRIDGEWATER, Va.  – A back-and-forth battle came right down to the wire with host Bridgewater College rallying in the final two minutes for a 27-24 victory over visiting Gettysburg College Friday night at Jopson Field.
 
Each team erased double-figure deficits in the contest with Gettysburg (0-1) surging in front 24-20 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Reggie JeanCharles (Galloway, N.J./Holy Spirit) with 7:31 to play. Bridgewater (1-0) was on its heels at fourth-and-three as the final minute approached, but the Eagles converted a miracle as Brendon Maturey found Corey Jochim for a 65-yard game-winning score.
 
Senior quarterback Justin Davidov (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining) finished 18-of-37 for 240 yards and threw one touchdown and two interceptions. He also carried the ball 17 times for 94 yards and a score. JeanCharles finished with 78 yards on 19 carries, while senior Ty Abdul-Karim (Washington, D.C./Woodberry Forest (Va.)) hauled in three catches for 78 yards.
 
Junior Jake Skinner (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) paced the Gettysburg defense with 12 tackles and a sack. Senior Frank Olmo (Eatontown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) added 10 stops and two tackles for a loss.
 
The evening started well for the Bullets as a 45-yard pass from Davidov to Abdul-Karim set up a career-long 39-yard field goal for sophomore Justin Geisel (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day School). After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, Davidov polished off a 10-play drive with a nine-yard scoring run to push the visitors in front 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Bridgewater answered at the start of the second quarter as Jay Scroggins threw a seven-yard scoring strike to Jason Monroe. Senior Andrew Major (St. Davids, Pa./Radnor) swatted away the extra-point attempt to keep the Bullets ahead 10-6.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, Gettysburg fumbled the ball and the Eagles recovered in enemy territory. The hosts drove deep into the red zone, but senior Glenn Benson (North Plainfield, N.J./North Plainfield) hauled in his first career interception to stop the drive.
 
It didn't take long for Bridgewater to recover, taking advantage of a short punt with Scroggins throwing a 28-yard touchdown to Rayvon Johnson and pushing the advantage to 13-10. The Eagles were poised to put more points on the board later in the quarter, but Major blocked the field-goal try. The Bullets came up empty on their ensuing possession as Geisel's 38-yard field goal try was off the mark.
 
Gettysburg's first possession of the second half proved costly as a low snap led to the punter's knee hitting the ground on the catch. Bridgewater took advantage of the short field with Maturey accounting for 16 rushing yards, including a four-yard plunge into the end zone. The extra point set the Eagles ahead 20-10.
 
The Bullets defense forced a turnover on downs and a three-and-out later in the period before the offense started rolling again. A 25-yard pass from Davidov to Abdul-Karim put the visitors in Bridgewater's territory by the end of the third quarter. Davidov finished the 93-yard drive with a touchdown toss to senior Ryan Thompson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) to pull Gettysburg within three points (20-17).
 
The visitors took the lead midway through the final stanza. Davidov set the stage with a 28-yard run and then found JeanCharles for an 18-yard reception. The tailback completed the drive with his first career score, rushing in from 15 yards out to give his team a 24-20 lead.
 
Bridgewater regained possession of the ball with just over four minutes left, but the Eagles turned it over as senior Nolan Skirtich (Mars, Pa./Mars) knocked the ball away from Maturey and freshman Thomeir Richardson (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central) hopped on the loose ball. The Bullets were unable to convert on the short field position as Davidov's hurried pass on fourth down fell short.
 
Down to its final two minutes, Bridgewater managed to convert twice on fourth down to stay alive, the last resulting in Jochim's dash to pay-dirt. Gettysburg managed to drive into Bridgewater territory in the final 50 seconds, but Davidov's fourth-down heave downfield was picked off by Josh Brooks.
 
Scroggins finished 11-of-18 for 107 yards and two touchdowns, while Maturey went 5-of-13 for 87 yards and a score. Malivai Barker carried the ball 18 times for 94 yards. Isaac Evans led the defense with 10 tackles and an interception.
 
Gettysburg makes its home and Centennial Conference debut against Ursinus College next Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m.