Golden Bears First Half Runaway Sends Football to President’s Trophy Win

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 10, 2022) – The Western New England football team opened the first 15 minutes with 28 points, followed by an additional ten points in the second quarter, and costed their way through the visiting Westfield State University Owls to hoist the President's Cup in a 38-14 win on Saturday afternoon. 

Records:

• Western New England: 1-1
• Westfield State: 0-2

How it Happened:
The Golden Bears needed just five plays and 71 yards on the opening drive to connect for their opening score of the game when QB Tyler Millerick found WR AJ Hall for a deep 41-yard touchdown pass, giving Western New England the opening six points of the game. Matt Gilbert would connect on the extra point, adding to the Golden Bears lead, making it 7-0. The Western New England defense would force a quick three and out and would be right back on the offensive attack on the next drive of the game. The Golden Bears would eat 2:36 of the clock on seven plays and 51-yards as Millerick would link this time with WR De'Andre Harris on an 11-yard score to give the Golden Bears a 13-0 lead, which was then added to 14-0 on another successful extra point. 

The WNE defense would come up large in the first quarter and did not allow the Owls to gain any momentum. Westfield's next drive would last just five plays before they were taken over on a forced fumble by WNE. Western New England would use that turnover as an advantage as Ian Britt would take a snap right up the middle of the field and into the back of the endzone for a four-yard score to give Western New England a commanding 21-0 lead, early. Western New England would force a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and would need just one play that took all of seven seconds to take a 28-0 lead when Tyler Millerick connected with Greg Perry for a 35-yard reception and touchdown. WNE would extend their lead early in the second quarter when Matt Gilbert would knock down a 43-yard field goal to give the Golden Bears a 31-0 lead over Westfield State. The WNE defense would be relentless in the first half, forcing another three-and-out which led to another WNE score after Dillion Kohl rushed to the back of the endzone for six points, which gave the Golden Bears a massive 38-0 lead at the half. 

Westfield State would score their first TD of the game off a successful 10 play, 67-yard drive that ended up in a Jordan Smith rushing touchdown to give Westfield six points on the scoreboard. The Golden Bears offense would not be needed in the second half after putting up 38 points in the first half as WNE would roll to a 38-14 win over the Owls on Saturday afternoon, capturing their annual President's Cup Trophy championship. The WNE defense, led by Thomas Gasbarro, who collected eight tackles, held WSU off the scoreboard for the first 30+ minutes of the game. WNE collected two sacks in the game while forcing one fumble and one interception. 

Around the Field:

• Tyler Millerick threw 19 passes, completing 12 of those for 194 yards while tossing three touchdowns in the win. Millerick also rushed ten times, gaining 46 yards. 
• Ian Britt led Western New England with 13 rush attempts, going for 39 yards and scoring one touchdown. 
• Conrad Swanson saw action on the afternoon, completing three passes in the second half. 
• 22 Golden Bears recorded at least one assisted tackle on the afternoon in the big win. 
• Kicker Matt Gilbert connected on ½ field goals and made all five extra points for WNE.
• Westfield State was led by Tyler Cooney, who made 11 tackles, two solo and nine assists in the loss. 
• WSU quarterback Colby Pires threw 26 passes, completing half, for 157 yards and one touchdown. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England continues their home swing by hosting Utica College on Saturday, September 17 at 1:00 pm. 
• Westfield State opens MASCAC play by hosting Western Connecticut State University on Friday, September 16 at 7:00 pm.