DUDLEY, Mass. – Junior Jacob Duffrene (Boston, Mass.) scored a pair of touchdowns in Nichols College's season-opening 19-13 win over Westfield State University Friday night in non-conference football action at Vendetti Field.
 
Duffrene caught a 17-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, then scampered in from 30 yards out with 3:30 remaining to break a 13-all tie and help the Bison move to 1-0 for the first time since 2013, when they knocked off the Owls 28-27 in overtime. Nichols has now won its last five games, dating back to last season; the five-game winning streak is the longest for the program since 2001.
 
Junior Travon Golder (Hartford, Conn.) rushed for 137 yards for the Owls, who outgained the Bison 270-213 on the evening. Classmate Evan Cain (Marlborough, Mass.) hauled in a pair of scores, one from 26-yards out to open the scoring and another on fourth-and-goal in the fourth that tied the game at 13 with 6:08 to go.
 
Sophomore Tony Martignoli (Santa Rosa, Calif.) scored on a one-yard rush and finished with 45 yards on the ground and 85 through the air. Senior captain Brett McEvoy (Wrentham, Mass.) led all student-athletes with 15 tackles (five solo) to go along with one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.  
 
All-Time Series
Tonight's contest marked the 28th all-time meeting between Nichols College and Westfield State University. The win snaps the Bison's two-game losing skid against the Owls, who still lead the series, 17-11.
 
Quote
"It's an awesome feeling. We fought through some adversity tonight, which all teams do in week one. I was pretty proud of the way the guys finished the game tonight." – Nichols head coach Dale Olmsted
 
Next up
Nichols (1-0) – Friday, September 8 @ Anna Maria, 7:00 p.m.
Westfield St. (0-1) – Friday, September 8 vs Western New Eng., 7:00 p.m.