Junior WR sets single-game program records for receiving yards (319) & TDs (5)
WESTFIELD, Mass. (September 13, 2019) – Led by a record-breaking performance from junior wide receiver Steven Fedorchak (Guilderland, N.Y.), the Western New England University football team defeated Westfield State University, 56-35, in the annual Presidents' Cup Game on Friday night at Alumni Field.
Top Performers
Fedorchak turned in the most prolific single game receiving performance in program history, setting records for yards (319) and touchdowns (five) on nine receptions.
Senior quarterback Alec Coleman (Arlington, Mass.) shined as well, completing 22-of-27 passes for a career-high 403 yards and five scores. Coleman added 43 yards and another touchdown on the ground.
Defensively, junior linebacker Erich Keutmann (Washingtonville, N.Y.) compiled a game-high 12 tackles and one pass breakup, while senior lineman Kahron Hogans (Queens, N.Y.) totaled six tackles and two sacks.
Westfield State senior quarterback Jake Cassidy (Lynn, Mass.) completed 17-of-27 pass attempts for 201 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Senior receiver Evan Garvey (Dalton, Mass.) was Cassidy's top target, making eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Game Review
Western New England received the opening kickoff and needed just four plays to get on the scoreboard, as Coleman connected with Fedorchak on a deep throw across the middle of the field for a 53-yard touchdown.
Following a Westfield State three-and-out, the Golden Bears were able to quickly double their advantage on another Coleman-Fedorchak connection, this time a 69-yard strike that made it 14-0 less than four minutes into the game.
Westfield State answered on its ensuing possession, using a 42-yard kickoff return by sophomore Tod Holloway Jr. (Ludlow, Mass.) to get across midfield, before Cassidy found Garvey for a three-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play, 46 yard drive with 6:30 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Golden Bears inserted senior Brendan Smith (Seekonk, Mass.) at quarterback on their next possession, but the result was the same as Smith threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Fedorchak on the third play of the drive to restore Western New England's 14-point lead (21-7).
After the Owls cut their deficit to 21-14 on a 59-yard touchdown run by junior Cam Gallagher (Uxbridge, Mass.), Coleman found Fedorchak yet again for a 35-yard score late in the first quarter to increase Western New England's advantage to 28-14.
The two teams continued to put up big offensive numbers in the second period, with the Golden Bears taking a 42-28 lead into the locker room at halftime. Senior running back Peter Hoff (Shelton, Conn.) scored on a six-yard touchdown run early in the frame, and Cassidy responded for the home team at the 3:43 mark, reaching the end zone on a four-yard scramble up the middle.
Fedorchak added to his record performance by hauling in a 35-yard touchdown reception from Coleman with 1:09 on the clock. The Owls weren't done, however, as they closed to within 14 points (42-28) just before the break on a two-yard plunge by sophomore Shane Clark (Bellows Falls, Vt.).
The lone score of the third quarter came on a 25-yard pass from Coleman to junior Adam Razza (Watertown, Conn.), giving the Golden Bears a 49-28 lead. Coleman then opened the fourth with a 21-yard touchdown run, before Clark punched it in from a yard out for Westfield State to cap the scoring with 9:42 remaining in the contest.
Notes
• Western New England improves to 17-14 in 31 all-time meetings with Westfield State. The Golden Bears have defeated the Owls in each of the past six seasons.
• Western New England outgained Westfield State 701-354. The Golden Bears were successful on 6-of-8 third down attempts (75%) while limiting the Owls to a 20% conversion rate (3-of-15).
• The Western New England offense averaged ten yards per play and scored six 25+ yard touchdowns.
• Fedorchak broke the previous records for receiving yards (183) and touchdowns (3) before the end of the first quarter.
Up Next
Western New England (2-0) travels to DeLand, Florida next Saturday (9/21) to take on Division I FCS program Stetson University at 6 p.m. Westfield State (0-2) will also be on the road next weekend, as the Owls open MASCAC play at Framingham State.