GREEN ESSENTIAL TO BEARS’ OFFENSE
By Greg Dudek
Comment Staff
One thing has remained constant this season for the Bridgewater State University football team and that has been the play of junior wide receiver Matt Green.
Green, who in his first two seasons was a nice compliment to the offense, has turned into an explosive difference maker in his junior season.
For the season, Green has 38 receptions for 817 yards and 10 touchdowns, surpassing all the marks he set a year ago. Currently, Green is ranked first in Division III in both reception yards and touchdown receptions.
“I think it’s a great honor to be considered one of the best receivers in the nation,” Green said. “Just hearing it is pretty surreal, but I try not to think about it like that because I’m not satisfied with what I’ve done yet. Every game I go back and find areas where I could get better so I can give the team the best chance to win.”
Earlier in the season, Green broke school records with five touchdown receptions in a 51-20 win over Worcester State University. Through all his performances this season, Green said the game against Worcester State sticks out the most.
Green didn’t stop there. In all but one game this season, Green has caught a touchdown pass and only two teams have contained him to less than 100 yards receiving.
“I thought he would play very well for us this year,” said Bridgewater State head coach Chuck Denune. “But, I must admit, I never imagined this type of performance. He has worked hard and it shows.”
Getting to this point didn’t come without its share of work. Last season, Green blended in with the offense, as he caught 32 balls for 482 yards and six touchdowns.
That has all changed this season, as Green has become the focal point in the Bears’ offense.
“It’s great to know, that when we’re in a pinch and need a big chunk of yards, more often than not, Greeny is going to be there for us,” said senior captain and running back Mike Gentili.
The career season kept on moving along last Friday night when Bridgewater State took on the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Despite losing 33-29 and relinquishing a 22-0 halftime lead, Green did what he has done all season long for the Bears, catch the football and get into the end zone.
Green had seven catches for 181 yards and a touchdown, as he moved into seventh place on the Bears’ all-time receiving list with 1,367 yards in three seasons at Bridgewater State.
“He has tremendous field speed,” Denune said. “He runs good routes and has the ability to adjust to a ball that I haven’t seen in a while.”
With just four games left in the regular season, Green will have the chance to continue a career year and leave his mark on the Bridgewater State football program. What might end up being the best statistical season a Bears’ wide receiver has ever had, it is a season that came out of nowhere, but Green just caught it and ran with it all the way to the end zone.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get this season,” Green said. “Giving 100 percent effort every play is important and I’ve seen results from it.”
Green and the rest of the Bears will be in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Plymouth State University to take on the Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Greg Dudek is The Comment’s Editor-In-Chief. Follow him on Twitter at gdudek10 or email him at gdudek@student.bridgew.edu.
