Shane Drake Named MASCAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – For the second straight week and third time this season, Bridgewater State University senior kicker and punter Shane Drake has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football Special Teams Player of the Week.

Drake converted a pair of fourth quarter field goals, including a career-long of 39 yards, and averaged 56 yards on seven kickoffs with five touchbacks in the Bears' 34-24 victory over Catholic University in the New England Bowl. The Franklin, Massachusetts product also averaged 36.7 yards on three punts including a key 45-yard punt late in the fourth quarter that was downed at the two.

In 11 games this season, Drake connected on 7 of 9 field goal attempts and averaged 57.8 yards on 66 kickoffs with 16 touchbacks.

In the punting game, Drake averaged 42.5 yards on 39 punts with a long of 66 and ten inside the 20. Eight of his 39 punts went for over 50 yards.

Drake led the MASCAC in both made field goals and punting average this season. He also ranks seventh in all of Division III in punting average.

Drake also earned MASCAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors last week in the Bears' 10-0 Cranberry Bowl win over Mass. Maritime and back on September 25th in a 40-27 MASCAC win over Western Connecticut. 

The BSU football team finished the 2022 campaign with an overall record of 7-4 including a 6-2 MASCAC mark. The Bears capped off the regular season with a 10-0 Cranberry Bowl win over Mass. Maritime before posting the 34-24 victory over Catholic in the New England Bowl.