NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) -Bruce Burley carried 22 times for 127 yards and four touchdowns as Bridgewater State defeated Coast Guard 41-22 Saturday in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl.
Burley, a sophomore, had touchdown runs of 3, 9, 11 and 5 yards, earning the game's Most Valuable Player award.
Bridgewater State (8-2) avenged a 21-17 loss to Coast Guard (8-3) on Oct. 14, which led to Coast Guard winning the New England Football Conference Bogan Division title and Bridgewater finishing second. Coast Guard reached the NEFC championship game last week and lost 34-28 to Curry College, which earned the league's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
Steven Clark added 16 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown for Bridgewater State, which won its second straight ECAC title. The Bears defeated Fitchburg State 34-17 last year for the ECAC Northeast championship.
Bridgewater State led Coast Guard 27-9 at halftime.
Lance Lynch had 14 carries for 67 yards rushing for Coast Guard and quarterback Niles Pierson went 10-for-24 for 175 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Sam England had three catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
The last time the teams played, Coast Guard quarterback Christian George won the game with 50 seconds remaining on a 2-yard touchdown run, spoiling Bridgewater State's homecoming day. George did not play Saturday due to an injury to his left foot.
