Football Overwhelmed by Western Connecticut

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University football team fell to the Western Connecticut State Colonials by a score of 44-25 Saturday in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Coughlin Field.

With the win, the Colonials improve to 5-0 (3-0 in the MASCAC). The Lancers drop to 2-4 (1-3 in the MASCAC).

Western Connecticut opened the scoring with an 18 yard rush from Kyle McKinnon (New London, Conn.). McKinnon found a hole and evaded the Lancer defenders to find his way into the endzone.

The Lancers moved down the field into scoring range on their next possession, but ended up settling for a 35-yard field goal from kicker Noah Hwang (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to make the score 7-3.

The Colonials responded on their next drive with another touchdown, this one coming from a one-yard rush by senior Khalil Patterson (Hartford, Conn.). Patterson rushed on four consecutive plays, accumulating 23 yards on the drive.

Western Connecticut capitalized on a Worcester State fumble and added another touchdown to their total. Sophomore linebacker Vinnie Scancarello (Monroe, N.Y.) recovered the Lancer fumble. Three plays later, freshmen receiver Will Daniels (Bethel, Conn.) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback David James (Stamford, Conn.) to make the score 21-3.

Worcester State led a long drive down the field, running 12 plays for 67 yards. The drive stalled out in the red zone, but Hwang scored a 22-yard field goal to bring the score to 21-6.

Patterson scored another touchdown on the next Colonials' drive, catching a 17-yard pass from James to make the score 28-6.

That score would remain the same going into halftime. The Colonials outgained the Lancers 256 yard to 172. Noah Brum (Honolulu, Hawaii) led the Lancers with 161 passing yards at the half. McKinnon had 18 carries for 106 yards through the first two quarters.

The Lancers held Western Connecticut to a field goal on their first possession of the second half. Junior Jordan D'Onofrio (Orange, Conn.) kicked a 19-yard field goal making the game 31-6.

Worcester State led a 10-play, 77-yard drive at the end of the third quarter, ending with a six-yard touchdown run from senior running back Dex Andrews (Dorchester, Mass.).

Western Connecticut responded immediately with a touchdown of their own, a 20-yard reception for senior receiver Austin Calamita (North Branford, Conn.). Quarterback David James placed the pass perfectly to allow Calamita to make the touchdown grab. Lancer sophomore Anthony Dobronte broke through the line on the extra point and blocked the kick to keep the score at 37-12.

Brum led the Lancer on a 63-yard drive immediately after, ending with a touchdown pass to junior tight end Jacob Maher (Marshfield, Mass.), bringing the Lancers back within 18 points.

Colonial backup quarterback Thomas Balacki (Huntington, N.Y.) entered the game and threw a 34-yard touchdown to sophomore receiver Nick Kimball (New Milford, Conn.). This put Western Connecticut up 44-19 with only 7:39 left in the game.

The Lancers would lead one last touchdown drive, capped off by Brum's eight-yard pass to Colin Robinson (Wrentham, Mass.). This cut the lead to 44-25 with 3:25 minutes left.

Brum led the game with 349 passing yards, completing 28 of 47 passes and added two touchdowns for the Lancers. James recorded 137 passing yards and three touchdowns on 13 completions.

Mckinnon paced the Colonials on the ground with 23 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Andrews led the Lancers with seven carries for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Maher was the game's leading receiver, grabbing six passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Choquette (Warren, Mass.) added six receptions for 71 yards for Worcester State. Western Connecticut's receivers were led by Kimball's four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

The Lancers defense was led by senior linebacker Mike Koss' (Tolland, Conn.) 18 total tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss. Western Connecticut's Scancarello led the team with nine total tackles and recovered a fumble.

Worcester State will play next on October 20, with a road game against UMass Dartmouth, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. Western Connecticut will play next Saturday, October 13, at UMass Maritime. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

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