JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The Salisbury University football team had a hard time holding onto the ball as the Sea Gulls fumbled six times and lost 26-23 under the lights Thursday night against Saint Peter's College, a Division I-AA program, at Cochrane Stadium before 1,137.

 Saint Peter's quarterback Scott Bonnono had a huge game as he passed for 245 yards (27-for-42) and three first half touchdowns to wide receiver John Bond, who made nine receptions for 141 yards.

The loss snaps Salisbury's two-game winning streak while Saint Peter's earns its first win of the season and snaps its six-game losing streak. This is the first win for the Peacocks (1-6) in 14 games since September 10, 2005 when SPC defeated St. Francis (Pa.), 25-22.

Salisbury (3-4) was without its head coach Sherman Wood who admitted himself to Peninsula Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, October 18, as a precautionary measure because of heart palpitations.

Wood, 45, went through precautionary testing, a standard procedure, on Wednesday and Thursday. Assistant head coach Robb Disbennett served as the interim head coach for the Saint Peter's game.

The Sea Gulls led briefly in the second half, 23-20, as they scored on a 16-yard run by junior Jamar Garner midway through the third quarter.

SU would give the lead away on the last play of the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Ronnie Curley dropped back to pass but was hit by SPC's Anthony Bey, who caused the fumble. Bey then scooped up the ball and returned it 61-yards for the eventual game-winning score.

Curley finished 7-for-14 with 101 passing yards, he rushed 12 times for 26 yards, and scored on a 15-yard run at the 11:24 mark in the second quarter. That run capped an 11-play, 91-yard drive that ate up just under six minutes and gave SU a 13-7 lead.

The Sea Gulls opened up the scoring in the first quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run by freshman Valdase Morris just over six minutes into the game.

SPC answered with a 13-play, 81-yard drive that tied the game at seven apiece as Bonnono connected with Bond on a 13-yard strike with 2:26 left in the opening quarter. After Curley's touchdown, and failed extra-point attempt, the Peacocks took their first lead on a 77-yard touchdown by Bonnono to Bond with just under four minutes left before halftime.

SU fumbled away another drive as Garner coughed up the ball and allowed Saint Peter's to recover. The Peacocks then orchestrated a three play drive that ended with a 20-yard Bonnono pass to Bond with 44 seconds left.

The Peacocks extra-point attempt was blocked by Joe Galloway and returned the distance by Antione Cuff for the two-point score. SPC took a 20-15 lead into halftime.

The series record is now tied 1-1. Salisbury defeated Saint Peter's 41-16 last season at Sea Gull Stadium.

Salisbury will next take the field at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 28, as the Sea Gulls host Route 13 rival and No. 5 ranked Wesley College at Sea Gull Stadium.