HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. - Sophomore defensive back Ricky Cassidy (Edgewater, Md.) collected a career-high 11 tackles and sophomore slot back Bryan Woolson (White Hall, Md.) rushed for a game-high 72 yards, but it was not enough as the Salisbury University football team dropped a 59-14 decision to No. 17 Hampden-Sydney College on Saturday afternoon at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. The contest was the first between the two teams since 1990 and the first time SU has played against an Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponent in the past 18 years.

Salisbury (4-5, 1-1 Atlantic Central Football Conference) found itself in a deep hole to begin the game as Hampden-Sydney (9-0, 4-0 ODAC) posted the first five scores to take a commanding 31-0 lead. Despite the scoring margin, the Sea Gulls were not fazed as they opened up the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns.

Senior defensive back Brandon Hudson (Delmar, Md.) got the ball rolling for SU when he returned an HSC punt 33 yards to help set up a 29-yard touchdown score by Woolson. Woolson would then go on to pick up his second consecutive 29-yard score when five minutes later he returned to the end zone to bring the game within three touchdowns at halftime.

The three touchdown margin was as close as SU got the rest of the way as HSC used an impressive offensive performance in the second half to run away with the victory.

Woolson propelled the Sea Gulls in the game as he rushed for 72 yards on just five carries and two scores. SU was also aided by the performances of sophomore quarterback Kurt Purnell (Berlin, Md.) and junior super back Nick Coates (Huntingtown, Md.), who rushed for 31 and 29 yards, respectively. The receiving corps caught just five passes in the game but was led by sophomore wideout Colin Lanham (Cambridge, Md.). Lanham snagged one pass for 14 yards.

The SU defense was led by Cassidy's strong performance as his game-high 11 tackles proved to be his second consecutive week with double-digit tackles. The Sea Gulls were paced by junior linebacker Justin Chura (Lothian, Md.) and Hudson. Chura notched nine tackles in the game while Hudson (three pass breakups) had six of his own.

Salisbury will return home to host Frostburg State University in the 11th annual Regents Cup game on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. The Sea Gulls have won the last five meetings between the two schools and hold the series lead, 20-16. The contest marks the regular season finale for SU.