Westfield State Guns Past Fitchburg State, 34-7

Bizzotto totals game-high 18 tackles to pace Falcons in final regular season contest

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 5, 2011) – The Westfield State football team registered 34 first half points to defeat host Fitchburg State University, 34-7 in New England Football Conference action this afternoon at Elliot Field.

With the victory, Westfield State concludes its 2011 campaign with an overall record of 5-5 and a 4-3 mark in the NEFC, while Fitchburg State puts a close to its 2011 season with a 2-8 record and a 1-6 clip in the conference.

The Owls exploded for 28 first quarter points, using three Tyler Dow (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) touchdown passes, a pair of Falcon turnovers and blocked punt for an early 21-0 advantage. Dow connected with Kane Terilli (Cranston, R.I./Cranston West) for a 26 yard TD to open the game's scoring, before converting a Falcon three and out into a 71-yard bomb to Kevin Parnell (Berlin, Conn./Berlin). Dow struck again with 1:06 remaining the quarter, posting a 22 yard pass to Jeff Winchell (Scituate, R.I./Scituate), before defensive back Erik Wellhoff (Natick, Mass./Natick) capped the first-frame scoring with a 35 yard, pick six.

In the second quarter, Westfield State continued its offensive dominance, this time with the leg of junior Keenan Startzel (Rockland, Mass./Rockland). The third year kicker converted a pair of field goals, one earlier in the frame from 30 yards out, and one later in the period from 20 yards out to give Westfield a 34-0 margin at halftime.

Both teams' defenses came out strong following the break as both Westfield State and Fitchburg State remained scoreless in the third period. The Falcons were able to break their scoring silence in the fourth quarter with a nine yard TD run from Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg), but that's all Fitchburg State could muster, falling victim to four turnovers on the day.

Dow sparked the Westfield State offense with 10-of-20 passing, 197 yards and three touchdowns, while Andrew Buanno (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) averaged 7.2 yards on the ground with 58 yards over eight carries. Winchell led all Owl receivers with three catches for 57 yards and score, while Parnell added a pair of grabs, a team-high 65 yards and one TD.

Teague highlighted the Fitchburg State offense with 68 yards on 13 carries, while senior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) turned in three receptions for 53 yards.

On the defensive end, senior Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) continued his conference leading pace, posting 18 tackles with 11 solo efforts, seven assists, 2.5 TFL's and a half sack. Junior Justin Ehrhardt (Stoneham, Mass./Stoneham) led Westfield State with five tackles, while Anthony Laramee (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug) picked up a pair of sacks.