DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols football dropped its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener on Saturday afternoon to Western New England, 47-17, at Vendetti Field on Saturday afternoon as part of Nichols Homecoming Weekend.
 
The Bison found themselves in a 17-0 hole with 6:01 remaining in the first half after Ian Britt rumbled in for a one-yard rushing score, the second Western New England touchdown of the second quarter.
 
Following a stop on defense, a punt out of bounds gave Nichols the starting field position of the 50 yard line for its final drive of the half with 3:10 to play. The Bison used nearly three minutes of clock on the way to their first score, which came on a 17-yard completion from Kyle Keckler to River Jackson, to send the teams into the half at 17-7.
 
The Golden Bears extended their lead to 13 early in the third quarter, as Matt Gilbert's field goal attempt was true from 34 yards out.
 
Jamri Jones was able to help keep the Bison in it as the junior forced a De'Andre Harris fumble and returned it 76 yards to the house for a vital touchdown, making the score 20-14 with 8:52 to play in the third.
 
Following the scoop-and-score, Western New England rattled off two touchdowns in a 23 second span to pull away, 33-14, and never looked back on its way to a 47-17 victory.
 
The Bison (3-2, 0-1) will return to action next Saturday, October 8, traveling to Beverly for another CCC matchup with Endicott at Hempstead Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m.