WESTFIELD, Mass. – Western New England University used a balanced offensive attack and capitalized on three interceptions, as the Golden Bears blanked Westfield State, 48-0 in the Presidents' Cup football game at Alumni Field on Friday night.
Western New England (2-0) got a pair of touchdown runs in the first quarter from running back Dillon Kohl, scoring on a 21-yard burst on the Bears' first offensive drive of the game, then adding an 11 yard sweep later in the first quarter.
The Golden Bears rotated three quarterbacks on the day. Bryce Karstetter finished 12-27 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Millerick tossed a second quarter TD pass to Matt Eylander, and added a pair of TD runs.
Ian Britt capped the scoring for WNE with a 6-yard TD run with 3:04 left in the fourth quarter.
The Golden Bears finished with 374 yards of total offense on 93 plays, and held a 37:13 to 22:47 advantage in time of possession. The picked up 200 yards rushing and 174 through the air.
Westfield finished with just 135 yards of total offense on 53 plays. Owl QB's finished 8-24 passing and were picked off three times by Western New England, including a pair by Jerry Woodward.
Westfield State's defense was led by 10 tackles from William Soto, and nine from Cameron Danahy. Max Margeson finished with three pass breakups. QB Miles Foerster finished 5-10 passing for 77 yards. OT Thomas led Westfield on the ground with nine carries for 32 yards. Tod Holloway, Jr. finished with five catches for 37 yards.
Kohl led Western New England with 55 yards rushing and the two scores. Ryan Larson caught four passes for 60 yards, while Eylander totaled four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Western New England improves to 19-14 in the all-time series against the Owls, and has won the cup in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
Westfield State will be back in action next Friday night, as they kick off MASCAC conference play with a 7:00 p.m. game at Western Connecticut State University.
Western New England will travel to Utica (NY) College for a 6:00 kickoff with the Pioneers on Saturday, Sept. 18.