The 31st meeting between the two Division III football schools on the Delmarva Peninsula will be the final one as the Salisbury University football team travels to Dover, Del. to battle the Wesley Wolverines on Saturday at 12 p.m. in the "Route 13 Rivalry."
This season, the six New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) football programs will be split into a divisional alignment, with Kean, Montclair State and William Paterson comprising the North Division, and CNU, Salisbury and Wesley comprising the South Division. Teams will compete for divisional championships, and divisional all-conference honors and league awards will be selected at the conclusion of the season.
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SEASON PREVIEW
The Series: Wesley holds the 21-9 series edge over Salisbury but SU picked up the last win in the matchup with a thrilling 45-38 win at Sea Gull Stadium on Oct. 12, 2019. The last Sea Gull win in Dover was a 38-35 win on Nov. 7, 2015.
The Opener: The Sea Gulls are 16-5 in season openers during the Sherman Wood era. All-time, Salisbury is 13-9 when the season opener is played on the road with seven wins in the last eight season openers played away from Sea Gull Stadium.
All-Ameri-Carroll: Salisbury returns senior defensive back Sean Carroll, who was named an honorable mention All-American by D3football.com following the 2019 season. He was also tabbed as a D3football.com All-East Region First Team and All-NJAC First Team selection Carroll led the Salisbury secondary with a team-best five interceptions. Two of his five interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which led the NJAC. Carroll also added 67 tackles, which ranked second on the team and five pass breakups.
Carroll also helped Salisbury become one of the top defenses in the country. The Sea Gulls ranked ninth in the nation in rushing defense, only allowing 74.0 yards per game, and 31st in total defense with opponents only averaging 291.8 yards per contest.
By Air or By Lanham: The offense will be led by junior quarterback Jack Lanham, who collected 2019 NJAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year, All-NJAC First Team and D3football.com All-East Region Third Team honors following a stellar sophomore season. Lanham led the conference in total touchdowns (25) and ranked second in rushing touchdowns (12) and passing efficiency (178.6), third in total offense (2,025 yards), fifth in scoring (74 points) and rushing (703 yards).
All-NJAC Returners: Along with Carroll and Lanham, Salisbury returns five All-NJAC performers from 2019. Senior slotback/returner Chad Gleason was named to the first team while senior offensive lineman Joseph Osborne earned second-team honors. Senior kicker Bert Schrecongost received an honorable mention pick a season ago. Head coach Sherman Wood earned his second NJAC Coach of the Year award and fifth conference coach of the year award in his career.
Scouting Wesley: Wesley went 10-2 overall with a 6-1 record in the NJAC in 2019. Wesley joined Salisbury as representatives of the NJAC in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. After an opening-round 58-21 win over Framingham St., Wesley fell to Delaware Valley, 45-10, in the second round of the tournament.
A historic Division III power under the late Mike Drass, Wesley were regulars in the NCAA Playoffs with 13 consecutive appearances from 2005-2017.
Wesley returns 2017 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year senior E.J. Lee to the backfield. He has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons but is still a threat running the ball. Lee has totaled 3,970 yards of total offense with 44 touchdowns in his career.
The Wesley defense is led by senior cornerback Isiah Mitchell, who is a two-time All-NJAC First Team selection. Mitchell has tallied 78 tackles, seven pass breakups. 5.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions in his three seasons at Wesley.
Up Next: Salisbury will play its final two games at home beginning with a divisional matchup with CNU on Sunday, March 21 at 6 p.m.
Wesley Fan Policy: Attendance at Drass Field will be limited to home fans ONLY with capacity restrictions. Salisbury fans will not be permitted to attend the game in person.
