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EASTON, MA – The Bloomsburg defense forced five turnovers, igniting the Huskies to a season-opening 24-7 victory on a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon over Stonehill at W.B. Mason Stadium.

Eddie Mateo (Bethlehem/Freedom) rushed for a game-high 105 yards and two touchdowns, but the most important number - five - came on defense, as in the number of turnovers caused. After trailing 7-3 at halftime, Bloomsburg dominated the majority of the second half – thanks in large part to a ball-hawking defense. 

It was the defense that would start a sway in momentum late in the third quarter. Facing 3rd-and-1 from its own 48-yard line while leading 7-3, Stonehill's attempt at a quarterback keeper was snuffed out by Huskies linemen David McFadden (Allentown/Allentown Central Catholic) and Jeremiah Lowery (Sharon Hill/Academy Park). One play later, an incomplete pass from Moe Regan forced a turnover on downs.

 

Will Wagner (Wernersville/Conrad Weiser) rushes for a key first down on a fake punt." src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=15&image_path=/images/2014/9/6/wagner_1.jpg" />

A trick play from the Huskies firmly put the momentum in their control. On the ensuing possession with a 4th-and-3 from their own 45, the Huskies lined up to punt. Punter Will Wagner (Wernersville/Conrad Weiser) broke toward the near sideline free of the Stonehill defense, however, and picked up eight yards for a key first down.

Wagner's rush brought life to the struggling Huskies offense. Eddie Mateo (Bethlehem/Freedom) first broke off a 12-yard run, the longest of the day to that point, two plays later and then gave Bloomsburg its first lead by hurdling over defenders on his way into the end zone for an electric 18-yard score and a 10-7 Huskies lead.

After the two teams exchanged punts, the Huskies defense came through once more. With 13 minutes to play, senior linebacker Justin Shirk (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) knocked the ball out of the hands of Skyhawks running back Colin Markus, allowing Tomas Cabrera (Hanover/Hanover Area) to recover and put the Huskies at the Stonehill 39-yard line.

The Huskies followed up with their patented power running attack. A 19-yard run from Mateo then set up the Huskies in the shadow of the Skyhawks end zone and Brody Myers (Akron/Ephrata) finished off the four-play drive with a five-yard plunge to extend the Bloomsburg advantage to 17-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining. From there, the Huskies were in complete control.

Yet another big play from the defense all but put the game on ice. Stonehill broke into Huskies territory trailing by two scores, but the drive was stopped emphatically on a strip sack by Shirk, who forced Stonehill quarterback Joe DellaVecchia to fumble, allowing Shawn Mitchell (Nazareth/Nazareth) to recover to end the threat.

Late in the fourth quarter, Mateo gave the Huskies insurance with his second rushing touchdown of the day, a five-yard scamper to cap a 10-play, 46-yard scoring drive. 

Things didn't start out that way, however, as the Skyhawks owned a lead until the final minute of the third. 
 
Bloomsburg created a golden opportunity for itself early. On the very first play from scrimmage, the Huskies defense created a turnover to set up the defending PSAC champions in great field position. Stonehill quarterback Joe DellaVecchia completed to Nate Robitaille, but Robitaille fumbled which allowed Damin Finley (Elkins Park/Milford Academy) to recover and put the Huskies at the hosts' 43-yard line.

The Stonehill defense held, however, forcing a three-and-out and the Huskies drive was quickly snuffed out.

Another turnover created by the Huskies defense quickly gave the visitors another chance. With Stonehill driving, the Skyhawks attempted a deep ball. It was Finley again making a play as the junior defensive back made an impressive tip and catch, hauling in an interception and bringing the pick back 27 yards to the Stonehill 43. Again the Huskies went three-and-out, though, as the battle of the defenses continued.

Stonehill broke through midway through the second quarter. The Huskies secondary appeared to have another stop, but a pass from Stonehill quarterback Moe Regan which was tipped twice by Huskies defenders landed in the hands of Skyhawks receiver Colin Smith who then scampered into the end zone for a 48-yard score in unorthodox fashion.

Eddie Mateo (Bethlehem/Freedom) ran for 105 yards and two scores." src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=15&image_path=/images/2014/9/6/mateo.jpg" />

Bloomsburg worked itself on the board in the last minute before intermission, working 12 plays for 42 yards and finishing with a 39-yard field goal from Braden Drexler (Bethlehem/Nazareth) to draw within 7-3 at the break. That would be the last scoring until Mateo's acrobatic touchdown run with 52 seconds left in the third.

Dai'Shon Munger (Westampton, NJ/Holy Cross) added 63 yards on 13 carries out of the Bloomsburg backfield. 

Shirk made nine tackles with a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Finley added seven tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception. Donovan Morris (Philadelphia/George Washington) also had an interception.

Regan completed 19 of 33 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown while DellaVecchia was 5-for-10 for 39 yards. Markus led the Skyhawks in rushing with 52 yards on 11 carries.

The Huskies open at home next Saturday, Sept. 13 on Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium vs. California (PA). Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. 
 
GAME NOTES: The Huskies now have rushed for 100 or more yards in 33 straight games and recorded at least one rushing touchdown in 32 consecutive contests ... Bloomsburg has defeated Stonehill to begin the season in three consecutive years ... the Huskies improved to 4-0 all-time in the state of Massachusetts ... Bloomsburg surpassed 19,000 points all-time as a program on Mateo's third quarter touchdown ... Wagner's rush was the first of his collegiate career ... Myers' touchdown was also his first in maroon and gold ... Bloomsburg won the time of possession battle 19:38-10:22 during the second half.