The Westfield State University football team hosts Framingham on Saturday, Oct. 20, in a New England Football Conference Bogan Division game. Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. for the Homecoming game at Alumni Field.
WEB TV: The Framingham-Westfield game is being video streamed live on www.mascac.tv. There is no fee to watch the game with Westfield State students Joe Meehan and Matt Stover providing the play-by-play and color commentary. In addition, there are Live Stats for the game. Go to www.WestfieldStateOwls.com to access the video stream and Live Stat links.
THE SERIES: Westfield has dominated the all-time series vs. Framingham with 24 victories in 30 meetings, but the Rams have won the past two years, including a 27-24 decision in 2011.
THE RECORDS: Framingham sits atop the leader board in the NEFC Bogan Division with a 4-0 record; the Rams are 6-1 overall with their lone loss to Endicott, 34-7, in the season opener. Framingham trounced Maine Maritime last week, 56-0, and also posted a big shutout victory over Bridgewater State, 16-0, earlier this season. Westfield dropped to 1-3 in the Bogan Division and 2-5 overall following last week’s 31-27 setback to Coast Guard.
NEFC WEEKLY HONORS: Westfield senior linebacker Justin Ehrhardt was named to the honor roll for the third straight week; he posted a game-high 14 tackles (8 solos, 2 for losses) and had an interception. Westfield senior Kevin Parnell had seven catches for 129 yards, three kickoff returns for 56 yards and a 5-yard punt return. Framingham freshman quarterback Mike Silva completed 16 of 19 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns in the Maine Maritime game. Ram junior linebacker Michael Altavesta was named to the weekly honor roll with 13 tackles (10 solos, 4 for losses) and a pair of forced and recovered fumbles.
SCOUTING COAST GUARD: The stingy Rams rank first in the 16-team NEFC in scoring defense, allowing just 77 points in seven games, and first in total defense (221.3 yards per game) and rushing defense (66.9). The Ram D is led by tackles James Muirhead, who has team highs of 51 tackles, 10 tackles for losses, and four sacks. Linebacker Michael Altavesta ranks second with 44 tackles, including eight for losses, and safety Kevin Donahue has 35 tackles, nine for losses. Former Westfield State player Brian Castellanos has a team-high four interceptions and Tyrone Notice has three picks. Eleven players have registered sacks and eight Rams have intercepted passes for the depth-laden defense. Framingham ranks second in rushing offense, led by junior back Malikke Van Alstyne, who leads the NEFC in rushing (127.1 yards per game) and scoring (10 touchdowns). Silva has completed 66 percent of his passes (81 for 123) for 997 yards and 10 touchdowns. The leading receivers are Alexander Avery (27 catches, 282 yards) and Tyrone Figueroa (16-231).
SCOUTING THE OWLS: Sophomore Michael Mercadante is tied for the NEFC scoring lead with 10 touchdowns and has rushed for 595 yards, but he is questionable for the Framingham game after sustaining an injury late in the first half last week vs. Coast Guard. Freshman quarterback Erik Washburn has completed 65 percent (52 for 80) of his passes. He has thrown for 662 yards and four touchdowns in five games. Kevin Parnell is the Owls’ leading receiver (36 catches, 521 yards, 4 TDs) and ranks first in the NEFC in punt returns (18.2 average), third in all-purpose yards (147.3) and eighth in kick returns (19.2). Sophomore Andrew Buanno moved into first place in the NEFC and eighth nationally in kickoff returns following his 90-yard scoring sprint vs. Coast Guard. Buanno has nine kick returns in seven games for a 30.1 average. Other leading receivers in Westfield’s balanced attack are: Kane Terilli (17-302), tight end Jeff Winchell (16-246), Kevin Nicol (16-142) and tight end Jake Storey (11-112). Westfield senior Kennan Startzell is fourth in NEFC kick scoring with 34 points. He has converted 3 of 4 field goal attempts and a perfect 25 of 25 PATs. Startzell had an extra point attempt blocked in the Coast Guard game but it was officially credited as a team attempt because of a bad center snap and a bad hold. Startzell has now made a school record 59 straight PATs, including all 26 of his attempts last season and his final eight tries in 2010. Dependable Dan Dowling ranks fourth in the NEFC, averaging 36.4 yards per punt; 13 of his 39 punts have been inside the 20. Senior linebacker Justin Ehrhardt leads the Owls and ranks fifth in the NEFC with 67 tackles followed by linebacker Troy Cutter with 38 stops. Safety Jeff Smith, linebacker Dan Dowling each has 36 tackles and Mike Szydlowski has a team-high three interceptions.
LOOKING AHEAD: Westfield travels to Buzzards Bay Oct. 27 to play Mass. Maritime, and concludes its season by hosting Fitchburg State Nov. 3 at 12:00. Framingham plays at Coast Guard next Saturday and hosts rival Worcester State Nov. 3.
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JOIN THE OWLS GAMESIDE:
Attention fans, parents, alumni and friends: as part of the Oct. 20 Homecoming football game against Framingham State, you are invited to watch the game from the GameSide Picnic Area, located at the North End of Alumni Field (the far end of the stadium across from the baseball field).
Beer, wine, soda, and water will be available for purchase before and during the game along with a special menu of sausages, chicken, and other specialties. As always, you must be 21 with valid I.D. to purchase beer and wine.
There is no cost for admission to the GameSide picnic area and everyone is welcome to attend. GameSide opens at 12:00 and will remain open through the conclusion of the Owls’ football game against Framingham, which kicks off at 2:00.
The GameSide area is sponsored by the Owl Club, the department of athletics and Whalley Computer Associates.
Join us on Homecoming Saturday, GameSide!
