Golden Bears tighten grasp on top spot

Date: 10/3/2014

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – For the third consecutive week, Western New England University (WNE) is ranked No. 1 in the New England Division III Sports Information Director's football poll, released on Monday. And for the third straight poll, the Golden Bears set program records for points (205) and first-place votes (10).

WNE widen its lead over No. 2 Wesleyan University after a record-setting 80-16 victory at Maine Maritime in the Sept. 27 New England Football Conference opener for both squads. The Cardinals, who are receiving votes in the D3football.com Top 25, earned five first-place votes among 179 points.

Senior quarterback Tyler Ward tossed a school-record-tying four touchdowns and 321 yards on just 15 completions, and sophomores Terrence N`Dabian (157) and Nick Connell (113) both rushed for over 100 yards on an afternoon filled with career highs, as the Golden Bears racked up a program-best 803 total yards in the 64-point margin of victory over the Mariners for another WNE benchmark.

Last week, WNE had a then-school record of 185 points and eight first-place votes.

The Golden Bears are 3-0 for the first time in their NCAA Division III history, which began in 1981.

Western New England will host NEFC opponent Coast Guard on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. in the first of two back-to-back home games at Golden Bear Stadium.