Box Score Nichols College senior quarterback Michael Carven (Hanover, MA) rushed for three touchdowns while sophomore David McLean (San Antonio, TX) made three interceptions in a 26-13 season-ending triumph over Western New England College on Saturday at Vendetti Field. The victory secures a winning season for the Bison after coming off a 0-9 season in 2005. Nichols went 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the NEFC Boyd Division in 2006. The Golden Bears close out the year 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the Boyd Division.

The Bison scored on their very first drive of the game and never looked back as they took a 20-7 lead by halftime and tacked on another score midway through the third quarter. WNEC scored its lone touchdown of the second half off a fumble at the five yard line with 9:35 left in the game.

Carven hooked up with sophomore Joshua Harris (Northbridge, MA) for a 20 yard gain, which got the Bison down to the Golden Bears four yard line midway through the first quarter. Carven then threw to sophomore John Snediker (Grafton, MA) in the end zone to give Nichols the lead for good.

Carven went on to score three rushing touchdowns, two for one yard out and another from two yards out, to propel Nichols to the victory. McLean made all three of his interceptions on consecutive drives inside the 20 yard line in the fourth quarter, including two in the end zone, to hold WNEC off.

Carven finished his final game in a Nichols uniform with 150 passing yards on 16-25 completions. He also ran for a total of 61 yards on 12 plays. Freshman Chris Patterson (Stamford, CT) rushed for 83 yards on 14 carries while fellow freshman Anthony Pillari (Westwood, NJ) added 46 yards on the ground. Senior tri-captain Anthony Gaines (Cranston, RI) posted seven yards on two carries, including a key first down early in the third quarter.

Harris led Nichols with five receptions for 77 yards while Snediker and freshman Roland Gervais (Griswold, CT) each added three. Senior Gary Dalton (Braintree, MA) also made a catch in his final game as a Bison.

Seniors Shane West (Clinton, MA) and tri-captain Bryan Meuse (Billerica, MA) each had a team-high 10 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss by Meuse. McLean made seven tackles in addition to his three snatches. He also broke up two passes and had a 44 yard kick-off return which led to Nichols second touchdown of the game in the second quarter.

Senior tri-captain Rob McDonagh (Dorchester, MA) made four tackles while senior Tyler Jackson (Foster, RI) posted three tackles. Senior Doug Patterson (Falmouth, MA) added a tackle in his final game with the Bison as well.

All 11of Nichols seniors started the game, including free safety Prince Burns (Morton, PA) along with offensive line John Mascolo (Newtown, CT) and Perry Bonnett (Natick, MA).

Meuse, who led all of Division III in tackles per game last season, finishes his Nichols career with 345 total tackles. Carven leaves Nichols as its all-time leader in career passing yardage with 4,619 yards, completions with 307 and touchdown pass completions with 40.