Box Score MIDDLETOWN, R.I.--Western New England junior running back Kevin Cook eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing milestone on Saturday, but it wasn't enough as the visiting Golden Bears lost 47-26 to Salve Regina in New England Football Conference play at Gaudet Field. The Golden Bears fall to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the NEFC, while the Seahawks (4-1) maintain their perch atop the conference standings at 3-0.

Cook finished with a game-high 127 yards on 25 carries and now has 2,118 yards rushing in his 26-game career, becoming the sixth Golden Bear ever to eclipse 2,000 yards. Next on WNE's all-time rushing list is Steve Carroll who ran for 2,202 yards from 1992 to 1995.

Richie Edwards paced the SRU offense with 121 yards rushing on 26 carries and two touchdowns, including a 16-yard scamper to give the Seahawks a 6-0 lead on their opening possession 1 minute and 57 seconds after the kickoff.

Western New England responded immediately on its ensuing possession. On the first play from scrimmage, Cook rumbled 75 yards to knot the score at 6-all 14 seconds later as the point-after attempt was blocked.

Salve Regina quarterback Steven Wilken completed 21 of 35 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns, including a 35-yard strike to Matthew Traynor to cap an eight-play, 65-yard drive in 2:45. The Seahawks led 13-6 with 1 minute remaining in the first quarter.

The Golden Bears, however, matched the punch with one of their own on their next possession. On the second play from scrimmage, junior Andrew Walz (3 receptions, 85 yards) hauled in a 72-yard TD reception from senior co-captain John Krafick to tie the score again at 13-13 just 32 seconds later.

Krafick ended the contest with 163 yards passing on 13 completions in 25 attempts.

Salve Regina recorded the lone score in the second quarter for a 20-13 lead at halftime, as Wilken scored on a 3-yard TD run to cap a 13-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 5:47 on the clock. That started a run of 34 unanswered points.

The Seahawks outscored WNE 27-13 in the second half to seal the win. Traynor had another touchdown reception in the third quarter as part of an 8-catch, 195-yard afternoon, and Dan Buonocore was another 100-yard receiver with 114 on 10 grabs and a TD.

Salve Regina outgained WNE in total yards 594 to 387 and had a decided advantage in time of possession, 38:18 to 21:42.

Sophomore linebacker Nathan Fleming led the WNE defense with game bests of eight solo and 11 total tackles, followed by junior outside linebacker Ryan Nolte and sophomore safety Kenny Strecker with six solos and seven total each. 

For Salve Regina, Danny Ives had 11 stops to lead the NEFC's top defense versus the conference's top offensive unit. Frank Musco, Hayden Stanton and Rory McEntee contributed seven tackles apiece.

Western New England begins a three-game homestand next Saturday when it hosts first-time opponent Union (N.Y.) at Golden Bear Stadium, with kick off scheduled for 1 p.m.