BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. - After dropping its season opener on the road last week, the Western Connecticut State University football team rebounded to pounce on host Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 44-6, in a MASCAC matchup on Friday evening under the lights at Clean Harbors Stadium. Senior WR Julian Ferguson (Enfield, Conn.) sparked the barrage with game-highs of nine receptions and 147 yards en route to a pair of touchdowns. 

Three other Wolves racked up scoring catches in the aerial assault. Junior WR Zach Soriano (Middle Island, N.Y.) along with the sophomore duo of Markus Faucett (Bronx, N.Y.) and Dae'shawn Allen (White Plains, N.Y.) each hauled in touchdowns. Senior QB Keion Jones (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) tossed a trio of TD's for 257 yards on 15-of-23 attempts, while classmate backup John Giller (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) got in on the action with a pair of scoring throws into the end zone.

The Wolves defensive unit shut down the Bucs offensive attack as they limited them to just 144 yards on the ground, while blanking them in the passing yards column. 

The visitors drew first blood less than three minutes into the contest when Ferguson and Jones connected on a 49-yard scoring play. Moments later, Jones found Faucett from 29-yards out, extending the WestConn lead to 13-0 before the end of the first quarter. Senior kicker Anthony Weidtman (Nesconset, N.Y.) ripped a 28-yard field goal between the uprights to make it a 16-0 advantage at halftime.

The Wolves continued to push down on the throttle in the second half. Soriano captured an 18-yard reception before Ferguson notched a short feed to widen the gap to 30-0 heading into the fourth quarter. Allen pulled down a 13-yard catch before the hosts finally got on the board with a 1-yard rushing TD to make it 37-6. WestConn sophomore Dylan Jackson (Monroe, Conn.) scurried into the end zone with 2:07 remaining on the clock, rounding the count out at 44-6.

With the victory, the Wolves improved to 1-1 overall, while Mass. Maritime dropped to 0-2. WestConn will look to pierce the win column again when they travel for their third straight road game and meet MASCAC foe Westfield State on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Wolves home opener is slated for September 28 against Fitchburg State.