SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — Western New England erupted for 20 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon, pulling away for a 44-27 victory over Husson University of Bangor in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship at Golden Bear Stadium.
Kevin Patterson’s 25-yard field goal gave Western New England (11-0) the lead for good, then put the contest out of reach by scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the final period.
Coach Gabby Price’s Eagles, the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference champions, finished the season at 9-2.
Husson committed four turnovers and the Golden Bears capitalized by scoring 17 points off those miscues.
Anthony Service sparked WNE, completing 12 of 28 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Dante Aiken also rushed for 99 yards on 23 carries and scored twice.
Quarterback Cory Brandon was the offensive catalyst for Husson, throwing for 308 yards and four scores on 17-for-33 accuracy. He also was intercepted twice.
John Smith carried 31 times for 107 yards and Deon Wiggins caught five passes for 113 yards (1 TD) and Kadeem Edge made four receptions for 109 yards and scored twice.
Kurtis Jolicoeur and Sam Olsson piled up 13 and 12 tackles, respectively, to pace the Golden Bears. Alonzo Connor posted 13 tackle and Tarik Smith was in on 10 for the Eagles.
WNE jumped in front late in the third quarter after Blair Cook intercepted Brandon at the Husson 39. Patterson hit his field goal at the 2:38 mark.
The Golden Bears defense continued its clutch play at 9:48 of the fourth quarter when Silanick sacked Brandon, recovered his fumble and returned it eight yards for a touchdown. Patterson’s PAT made it 31-21.
WNE added another score after the Eagles came up short on a fourth-down play from their own 39. Aiken’s 6-yard TD run made it 38-21 with 3:24 remaining.
WNE took the lead after a fumble by Husson punter Tyler Bassett gave it the ball at the Eagles’ 7. Three plays later, Service threw a 5-yard scoring toss to Trent Vasey.
Husson equalized late in the first quarter on Brandon’s 44-yard TD pass to Wiggins, but the Golden Bears responded with a 55-yard scoring burst by Service on their next possession.
The Eagles tied it again with 38 seconds left in the half when Brandon and Edge hooked up on an 85-yard touchdown pass.
The Golden Bears went back in front with an 84-yard march early in the third quarter that was capped by a 7-yard pass from Service to Nick Connell.
Husson came right back with a 47-yard drive after the Eagles recovered an onside kick try by WNE. Brandon found Edge for a 6-yard TD pass that made it 21-all.