BRIDGEWATER, Va.  – Gettysburg College held firm in the first half and scored the game's first touchdown on a muffed punt, but Bridgewater College seized the momentum and the lead with a touchdown just before halftime and carried through with three more second-half scores to get by the Bullets 31-7 in non-conference football action Saturday afternoon at the Jopson Athletic Complex.
                                                           

Gettysburg's Top Performers

• Nick Riggio '23 (Verona, N.J./Verona): 9 Carries, 29 yards
• Mason Stolarik '23 (Ellicott City, Md./Howard): 7-18, 53 Passing Yards
• Matt Lajoie '22 (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape): 3 Receptions, 26 Yards
• Mike Vigliano '23 (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg): Fumble Recovery TD
• Matt Mikulka 24 (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township): 8 Tackles, 1.0 TFL, Pass Break-up
• Matt Lynch '22 (Bridgewater, N.J./Immaculata): 6 Tackles, 1.0 Sack, 3.0 TFL

 
Bridgewater's Top Performers

• Matt Lawton: 21-33, 264 Passing Yards, 2 TDs
• Chad Jones: 5 Receptions, 70 Receiving Yards, TD
• Freddie Watkins: 2 Receptions, 84 Yards, TD
• Demetreus Jalepes: 15 Carries, 27 Yards, TD
• Nazeer Jordan: 8 Tackles, 2.0 TFL, Fumble Recovery
• Da'Sean Davis: 6 Tackles, 4.5 TFL

 
Game Summary

• First Quarter: Despite Bridgewater gaining possession in Gettysburg territory on its first two drives, the Bullets held strong defensively and surrendered only 12 yards of total offense in the first 15 minutes. The Eagles tallied the game's first points on a 33-yard field goal by Jackson Hendren with 10:03 on the clock. Neither team managed to drive into enemy territory until the final moments of the quarter when Gettysburg crossed the 50-yard line.
• Second Quarter: The Bullets were forced to punt on the first possession of the second quarter, but senior Doug Cummings' (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) kick bounced off the helmet of the Bridgewater returner into the end zone and Vigliano jumped on the loose ball for the game's first score. Cummings' extra-point was true to give the Bullets a 7-3 lead. Gettysburg picked up another turnover on Bridgewater's next possession with senior Mike Galaida (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) diving on another unforced fumble. The visitor's came up empty on the exchange as Cummings' 44-yard field goal missed right. The Eagles ended the first half with the longest sustained drive of the game, marching from inside their 10 all the way to the end zone in just over three minutes. A pass from Lawton to Jones in the slant resulted in a touchdown, with Hendren's extra-point making it 10-7 in favor of Bridgewater at the break.
• Third Quarter: Bridgewater's first drive of the second half pushed into Gettysburg territory, but Lynch sent the hosts back to midfield with a 12-yard hit on Lawton. The Eagles made good on their next possession, however, with a 40-yard pass from Lawton to Jones setting up Ronald Robinson, Jr., for a four-yard plunge into the end zone. Hendren's PAT made it 17-7 with 8:36 to go in the third.
• Fourth Quarter: Bridgewater extended its lead on its first two full possessions of the final period. Lawton found Watkins for a 60-yard score with just over nine minutes remaining and after recovering the loose ball on a botched snap by the Bullets on the next possession, the Eagles took advantage of short yardage with Jalepes rushing up the middle for a six-yard score and a 31-7 lead.

 
By the Numbers

• Bridgewater out-gained Gettysburg 301-122, with most of the damage coming through the air with 270 passing yards. The Bullets held the Eagles to just 31 total yards rushing, which is the lowest total by an opponent since Juniata College totaled 30 rushing yards on Oct. 6, 2018.

 
Where the Series Stands Now
Bridgewater has won six of seven meetings with Gettysburg since the series started in 2014. The Eagles have won the last five match ups.
 
Next Up
Gettysburg makes its home and Centennial Conference debut against Moravian College next Saturday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m.