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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Justin Walz completed 27-of-48 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns to lead Western New England College to a 28-27 victory over Norwich in a non-league football game Saturday afternoon at Golden Bear Stadium.

Walz accounted for the Golden Bears' fourth TD as well, as the senior signal caller scored on a quarterback sneak.

Norwich (0-1) was led by freshman RB James McFadden, who rushed for 143 yards on nine carries. The first-year back, who electrified the crowd in his NU debut, scored three touchdowns on ground. He also returned four kickoffs for 98 yards and finished the game with 240 all-purpose yards.

Senior RB Kyle Marzeoti added 85 yards on 17 carries for the Cadets, who rolled up 306 rushing yards on the day.

WNEC (1-0) opened the scoring with 3:27 to play in the first quarter when Walz hit J.J. Jachym out of the backfield for a seven-yard TD on a short screen pass to the right side. 

The short drive was set up when Norwich P Brian Segit fielded a low snap on his knee, causing a turnover on downs. The Bears took over inside the Cadets' 10-yard line and scored three plays later.

Walz struck again in the second quarter when he hit RB Mike Graham with a 47-yard screen pass. Graham did most of the work on his own, racing all the way down to the Norwich two-yard line. The Golden Bears punched it in two plays later on a one-yard plunge by Walz to put WNEC up 14-0 with 9:59 remaining in the half.

Just when it looked as though Norwich might fold, the Cadets closed the first half by scoring two touchdowns in a span of 1:06.  

The first touchdown was set up when sophomore DB Charles Stiles stepped in front of a Walz pass and returned it to the WNEC 38-yard line at the 3:38 mark of the second quarter. Two plays later, McFadden scored his first collegiate touchdown on 34-yard touchdown scamper. McFadden took the ball off-tackle before breaking several tackles to get to the right sideline with a clear lane to the end zone, putting the Cadets on the board. Junior K Ryan Kelly drilled the extra point to trim the NU deficit to 14-7.

The Cadets caught a break on the ensuing kickoff, when Dom Sorrentino recovered the ball after it bounced off a Golden Bear player, giving Norwich possession at WNEC's 40-yard line. Following a pair of Marzeoti runs, McFadden scored on a 33-yard run almost identical to his first with 1:54 left in the half, knotting the score 14-14 going into halftime.

McFadden totaled 91 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries in the first half.

Norwich got off to a quick start in the second half as McFadden scored on a 21-yard run less than three-minutes into the third quarter. He broke through a hole on the right side and sprinted untouched into the end zone.

The Cadets gave away a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead when McFadden fumbled and WNEC recovered at their own 25-yard line to end a Norwich threat. Walz hit WR Kenny Muhlack with a 21-yard scoring strike four plays later to knot the score at 21-21 with 9:09 to play in the third quarter.

The turnover bug bit Norwich on its next offensive play as Marzeoti fumbled the ball away, giving the Golden Bears possession at the Norwich 40-yard line. Walz again made Norwich pay for its miscue, hitting RB Mike Graham wide-open down the right sideline for a 35-yard TD toss with 7:32 to go in the third quarter. The extra point gave WNEC a 28-21 lead.

Norwich had another excellent scoring chance later in the third quarter when senior DB E.J. Flannigan blocked a WNEC field goal attempt. Sophomore LB Joseph Gumberwicz scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 60 yards to the WNEC 12, setting up the NU offense inside the red zone.

The Cadets' drive stalled, however, and Kelly's 26-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Norwich scored again early in the fourth quarter when sophomore RB Andrew Fulford followed freshman FB Danny Tripplet into the end zone from one yard out. McFadden's 14-yard run down to the one-yard line set up the score. Norwich failed to level the score, however, as Kelly's extra point attempt sailed wide right.   

Norwich had two more offensive possessions, but the Cadets were unable to get anything going. NU's final chance with the ball was snuffed out when junior QB Guerschom Jean-Gilles tossed an interception with less than two minutes remaining.

Senior DB Donavon Brown led the defensive effort for the Cadets with eight tackles and a forced fumble.

Western New England outgained Norwich, 470-363, in the game. The Golden Bears held a 23-17 edge in first downs. WNEC won the time of possession battle, holding onto the football for 32:53.

Norwich returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Cadets open their home schedule by hosting St. Lawrence at Sabine Field. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.