Worcester, MA – Senior tailback Greg Wood (Auburn, MA) ran for 184 yards and two touchdowns as Worcester State (1-0) defeated visiting Nichols College (0-1) 24-14 in New England Football Conference college football action Friday evening.

Worcester State opened the scoring on a Tim Cullen (N. Smithfield, RI) 24-yard field goal half way through the first quarter converting on an interception by Anthony Black (Mansfield).

Wood, who set the New England Division III season record with 26 touchdowns in 2002, helped Worcester State jump out to a 10-0 lead with a 60-yard touchdown scamper with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Bison, who outgained Worcester State 449-329, answered back when Rob Beaudette (Tyngsboro, MA) connected with Ben Karter (Seymour, CT) for a 70 yard touchdown strike in the second quarter.

The contest became a battle of field possession until Worcester State’s Danny Harris (Brockton, MA) blocked a punt and rambled 26 yards for a touchdown with 11:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. Wood then put the game away with a 45 yard touchdown run with 1:44 remaining in the contest. The Bison closed out the scoring when Karter again was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass, this time from sophomore Michael Carven (Hanover, MA).

The Lancers will return to action next Saturday when then travel to cross-town rival WPI. The Bison will be at Bridgewater State Saturday for a 1:00 pm kickoff.