DANBURY, Conn. -- Sophomore quarterback Michael Nichol (Wolcott, CT) was 12 of 19 for 235 yards passing and two touchdowns, while also contributing 98 yards rushing and a nine-yard touchdown, to lead the Western Connecticut State University football team to a 34-10 victory over Bridgewater State University at the Westside Athletic Complex a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Nichol stepped in for Will Arndt (Newtown, CT) who has been hampered by injuries this season.  The sophomore signal caller tossed touchdowns of 26 and 60 yards in his first collegiate start.

The Bears were without the services of preseason All-American wide receiver Matthew Green (Stoughton, Mass.) who was also out with an injuury.

Western received the kick to begin the game, starting on its own 30 yard line.  The Colonials quickly went 70 yards in four plays, to take a 7-0 lead with less than two minutes gone from the clock.

Nichol teamed up with junior Connor Falaguerra (Milford, CT) for passes of 34 and 26 yards on the drive, the second taking Western into the Bridgewater State end zone for the game's first score.

Western forced Bridgewater State into a three-and-out on its first possession, and the Colonials marched the ball back into Bears territory.  Facing a second and four, after covering 52 yards on nine plays, Nichol's pass was intercepted at the Bridgewater State eight yard line by junior Nicholas Salois (Warwick, RI), and returned seven yards to the 15 yard line.

Bridgewater State continued its possession from the first quarter going 48 yards in 12 plays, but stalling at the Western 20 yard line.  Senior kicker Colin Neri (Upton, MA) connected on a 37-yard field goal to trim the Western margin to 7-3, just 1:28 into the second stanza.

Midway through the second quarter, Western used a misdirection play to extend its lead. With a first-and-ten at the Bridgewater State 43 yard line, Nichol flipped to Connor Falaguerra on an apparent end-around.  Falaguerra took five steps around the right side, planted his feet, and delivered a perfect pass to sophomore wide out William Andrew (Fort Knox, KY) who raced down the right sideline and into the end zone for the game's second touchdown.  After the point-after conversion by Michael Killoran (West Hartford, CT), the Colonials led, 14-3.

With 3:30 to play in the half, Western reached back into its bag of tricks.  Facing fourth and six at midfield, Western's senior punter, Ryan Falaguerra (Milford, CT) pulled out of punt formation and completed a 17-yard pass to sophomore Lanard Turnage (Bridgeport, CT), keeping the Western drive alive at the Bridgewater 34 yard line.

On first down, senior running back Tory Mack (Stratford, CT) burst up the middle for a 27-yard gain, but the Colonials failed to gain another first down, setting up a 26-yard field goal attempt by Killoran.  Killoran's kick was blocked by freshman Kyle Dance (West Roxbury, MA), keeping the score 14-3 with under just over a minute remaining in the half.

Bridgewater State moved the ball into Western territory, earning a first down at the Colonial 47.  On third and 10, Bridgewater State's sophomore quarterback Danny Higgins (Manahawkin, NJ) had his pass intercepted by Western's Delshawn Wilson (Norwalk, CT), who returned the ball 66 yards for a Western touchdown.  When Killoran missed the point after attempt, Western's halftime lead would stand at 20-6.

The Bears  failed to gain a first down after receiving the second-half kickoff, but after Western moved the ball near midfield, a pair of Colonial penalties gave Western a third and 26 at its own 17 yard line.  The Bears' defense then forced a Western fumble, giving the visitors a first down at the Colonial 12 yard line.  Three plays later, freshman Alex McLaughlin (Littleton, MA) ran through a hole in the right side of his line, and into the end zone to cut the Western lead to 20-10 following and extra point by Neri.

After a Bridgewater State punt, Western took over possession of the ball at its own 40 yard line.  On first down, Nichol rolled left, completing a pass near the left sideline to Connor Falaguerra who simply out-jumped a Bridgewater State defender.  Falaguerra then broke two tackles on the way to the end zone to extend the Western lead to 27-10.

At the end of three quarters, Western led 27-10.

With 10 minutes remaining in the final quarter, Western drove deep into the Bridgewater State end of the field.  On third and goal from the four yard line, Nichol's pass was intercepted in the end zone, again by Salois, keeping the Colonial margin at 17 points.

On its next possession, Western held the ball for over five minutes, moving 61 yards on 10 plays, before Nichol darted up the middle and into the end zone for a nine-yard run and a touchdown, giving the Colonials a 34-10 lead.

Connor Falaguerra finished the day with eight catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns, while Mack had 54 yards rushing on 16 carries for Western.

For Bridgewater State, Higgins was 11-of-25 for 105 yards.  On the ground, McLaughlin had six carries for 26, and senior Blaise Branch (Brockton, MA) had 24 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, Wilson led the Colonials with nine tackles, two break ups and the interception for a TD.

For the Bears, Salois led all players with 13 tackles, 11 of them primary and two interceptions.

On the day, Western amassed 463 total-offensive yards while allowing just 181 yards of offense by the visitors.

With the win, Western improves to 3-2 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.  Bridgewater State falls to 2-3, 1-2 in the conference.  The Colonials return to action next Saturday, October 11, when they travel to play Massachusetts Maritime.  Game time is slated for 12:00 noon. The Bears play host to UMass Dartmouth on Friday, October 10 at 7 pm.