COLLEGE Football – September 17, 2005

Final Score: Westfield State 16 – Nichols College 14

DUDLEY, Mass. – Senior wide receiver B.J. Holleran (Quincy) caught a career-high 10 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns to lead Westfield State to a come-from-behind 16-14 New England Football Conference victory over Nichols College on Sept. 17.

The Owls improved to 2-0 with their second straight close victory as they spoiled Nichols’ homecoming and dedication of its new field by rallying from a 14-0 third-period deficit.

Holleran juggled and tipped the ball for at least five yards on his first touchdown reception – a 23-yarder from quarterback Mike Lorenzano (Quincy) with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter. The 5-play TD drive covered 65 yards.

The Owls got the ball back two plays later when linebacker Rick Colburn (East Bridgewater) forced a fumble by option quarterback Tim Cairney that was recovered by linebacker Ryan Togneri (Turners Falls) at the Bison 32. Five plays later, the Owls struck paydirt when Holleran and Lorenzano hooked up for a 10-yard score.

Senior kicker Rory McKeon’s (Northbridge) extra point attempt was wide left, however, and Westfield trailed 14-13 with 2:13 left in the third quarter.

But the 5-7, 150-pound McKeon – a former Westfield soccer player - made up for the missed PAT with two big plays. He made a touchdown-saving tackle on the ensuing kickoff, then with 6:22 remaining in the game he booted a game-winning 36-yard field goal just inside the right upright.

Both of Nichols’ scores were set up by Westfield turnovers, including a 36-yard interception return by Bryan Meuse to the Owl 2 midway through the third quarter.

But Westfield forced four Nichols turnovers in the second half, including interceptions by senior backs Craig Skribiski (Whately) and Jay Abair (Ludlow).

Nichols led 7-0 at halftime as it recovered a Westfield fumble on a punt at the Owl 37, then scored on a 25-yard pass from Cairney to Darren Zow.

Cairney completed 12 of 24 passes for 86 yards and rushed for 28 yards, but he left the game midway thru the fourth quarter with an injury.

Lorenzano completed 14 of 27 passes for 232 yards and his two scoring strikes to Holleran.

Both teams struggled to run the ball; the Owls gained 78 net yards on 44 attempts and Nichols rushed for 82 yards on 29 carries. Westfield senior fullback Mark Puchalski (South Deerfield) led all rushers with 51 yards on 17 carries.