WESTFIELD, Mass. -  Serge Lagardere's 65-yard punt return for a touchdown provided the highlight reel play of the day as Western Connecticut State University Wolves defeated Westfield State 42-0 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference football opener for both teams on Friday night at the Westside Athletic Complex in Danbury, Conn.

The Wolves came up with pair of big special teams plays, getting the big punt return in the first half to go up 21-0, and blocking another punt in the third quarter, setting the Wolves up deep in Westfield territory to set up another score.

WestConn QB John Giller finished 14-26 for 217 yards and 2 TD's.  Chad Blaszky carried 27 times for 178 yards and pair of touchdowns for the Wolves.

WestConn's Troy Pomykala picked off an Owls' pass at the 1-yard line with 16 seconds left in regulation to thwart Westfield's best scoring chance of the day.

Westfield used three QB's, who combined to go 8-22 passing for 72 yards.    Corey Jackson Jr. caught four of those passes for 35 yards.   Jordan Smith ran the ball 22 times for 69 yards.

Tyler Cooley led the Owls with 10 tackles and a sack, with fellow linebackers Cam Danahy and Alec Rodriguez each adding six.   Senior DE Dylan Clark made six tackles and had two TFLs with a sack. Westfield State sophomore CB Zachary Allen picked off a pass on the first drive of the game.

WestConn levels its record at 1-1 on the season and are 1-0 in the MASCAC, while the Owls are now 0-3, 0-1 MASCAC.

WestConn limited the Owls to just 25 yards of total offense in the first half.  The Wolves totaled 448 yards to the Owls 135, and gained 24 first downs to Westfield's 9.

Westfield will next travel to Framingham State, on Saturday, Sept. 23 for a 12 noon kickoff.