WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Lightning struck last for VTSU Castleton, as the Spartans got a 27-yard TD pass from Mitch Chaves to Justin Peguero to grab a 16-12 lead over the Westfield State University Owls with 12:15 left in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans' score proved decisive as the game was suspended with 9:42 left to play, and eventually called off as potent lightning and thunderstorms and an eventual tornado warning hit Western Mass that saw the game called off shortly thereafter.
The game will be considered official and compete for NCAA purposes.
Castleton moves to 1-0 on the season, while Westfield begins the year 0-1.
The Spartans spoiled an impressive debut from Owls first-year fullback Manny Mengata, who ran for 113 yards on 25 carries in his first collegiate game.
Westfield got rushing TD's from senior Curtis Dion, who was named as a team captain prior to the game, and sophomore Aidan Patterson.
Dion's four-yard run in the first half trimmed the Castleton lead to 7-6, but the Spartans 14 blocked the point after kick, and Brian Driscoll scooped up the loose ball and rambled to the opposite endzone for a defensive 2-point conversion with 8:17 left in the first half. Castleton led 9-6 into the halftime.
Westfield drew first blood in the second half, scoring on their first possession of the half on a 9-yard sweep from Patterson, who snuck inside the left pylon for the score. The Owls 2-point conversion failed and Westfield led 12-9.
Chaves found Pequero wide open on a misdirection play with Peguero catching the ball around the four-yard line and tiptoeing in to the left side of the endzone for what proved to be the game winner.
The two teams traded short drives, with Owls regaining possession at their own 21-yard line with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter when the lightning monitor went off, followed shortly by a tornado warning for the area. The teams and spectators quickly cleared the field, and after a delay with little relief in sight from the storms, and the facility losing power due to the storm, the game was called off.
Castleton snagged a 7-0 lead in the game with a 25-yard TD run from Lou Guillotte just 3:40 into the game.
Guillotte finished with 43 yards on 11 carries. Chaves completed 5-15 passes for 112 yards and the one TD late in the first half. Braden Lankage caught two passes for 62 yards for the Spartans.
Dion led the Owls with 45 yards receiving on four grabs. Patterson caught four balls for 38 yards. Owls QB Miles Foerster was efficient in his return to the field after four seasons, completing 11 of 18 passes for 117 yards.
Ferreira led the Owls with nine tackles and two sacks. Deacon Schneider led Castleton with 11 tackles.
Both teams had their moments in the season opener. Westfield held a 248-167 advantage in yards of total offense and a 31-18 minute edge in time of possession. Westfield fumbled seven times and lost three, while Castleton had six fumbles and lost four.
Westfield will open MASCAC Conference play next Saturday at Bridgewater State with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Castleton will host Norwich at noon in the Maple Sap Bucket game at Dave Wolk Stadium.