Former Wolcott High School football standout Mike Nicol scored the game-winning touchdown for Western Connecticut State University in their 46-39 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy Saturday afternoon.
WCSU trailed 39-38 with 1:02 left to play when it started its final possession. Quarterback Will Arndt completed an eight-yard toss to Nicol to begin the drive, then hit on passes of 28 and 20 yards to move the ball to the MMA 7-yard line. After a four-yard keeper by Arndt on 1st and goal, Nicol took the ball into the end zone from three yards out for a 44-39 lead with just nine ticks left on the clock. The Colonials added the two-point conversion for the final margin of victory.
Nicol, a workhorse junior running back, carried the ball 37 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. His first score came with 13:11 left in the third quarter and gave WCSU a 28-23 lead.
Nicol has a team-leading nine touchdowns on the season.
NOTEWORTHY: Several local players took the field for WCSU in Saturday’s win.
St. Paul’s Tucker Bachand, Bristol Eastern’s Nick Crowley, Holy Cross’ CJ McIntosh, Wilby’s Bryan Ballenilla and Bristol Eastern’s Kyle Porter all played in the win, according to the team’s participation chart. Ballenilla and Porter started on the defensive line for the Colonials.
Ballenilla had five tackles while Crowley added two tackles. Nicol and Porter each had one tackle.
