OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The 21st-ranked Salisbury University football team were unable to overcome an early deficit and fell to the Stevenson Mustangs, 35-21, on Saturday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

• After a Salisbury punt on its opening possession, Stevenson used six plays to score the first points of the game. Ryan Sedgwick found Amir Moore for a 28-yard touchdown at the 9:28 mark of the first.
• On the ensuing drive, Salisbury failed to convert a 4th-and-1 in Stevenson territory. Sedgwick connected with Tylor Blake on a 15-yard touchdown pass to double the Stevenson lead.

Second Quarter

• Salisbury got on the board on its first possession of the quarter. After a Joey Bildstein 32-yard run got the Sea Gulls just outside the red zone, Andre Matthews and Gabriel Mendez connected on the seam for a 23-yard touchdown pass to cut the Stevenson lead in half with 11 minutes left in the first half.
• Matthews used his legs to tie the ballgame at 14 with just over five minutes left in the second quarter with a 38-yard keeper.
• Stevenson responded quickly to the Salisbury touchdown. A 51-yard kickoff return by Jakari Lewis led to a Sedgwick to Steven Smothers 48-yard touchdown pass to allow Stevenson to regain the one-score lead.
• Salisbury tied the game at 21 right before the halftime horn on a long 11-play. 72-yard drive capped off by a Hunter Hruz touchdown.

Third Quarter

• Salisbury got the second half started on a high with back-to-back interceptions to start the half by A.J. Butler and Brock Keeler but weren't able to capitalize.

Fourth Quarter

• Stevenson put the game away in the fourth quarter. A Brandon Walker touchdown run to open the fourth put the Mustangs up by a score then a Maurice Hammond run in the waning moments of the game put the game out of reach.

SALISBURY GAME NOTES

• Salisbury held the total offense advantage, 310-292, over Stevenson with 283 yards on the ground.
• Joey Bildstein notched a game-high 100 yards on 11 carries.
• Andre Matthews recorded 72 yards on the ground with a passing and rushing touchdown.
• Josh Adewumi led the defensive effort with 11 tackles.
• Caleb Brubaker registered seven stops.
• A.J. Butler and Brock Keeler each had an interception. It is Keeler's second straight game with a pick.

STEVENSON GAME NOTES

• Ryan Sedgwick paced the Mustang offense with 16-for-25 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw two picks.
• Steven Smothers had six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
• Stevenson forced three Salisbury turnovers.
• Sean Sullivan and Tom Zatalava each had nine tackles and a tackle for loss for Stevenson.

UP NEXT

• Salisbury returns to Sea Gull Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17 against the Ave Maria Gyrenes.
• Kickoff is set for noon.
• Local youth teams are invited to Sea Gull Stadium for Youth Day.

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Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football, Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse and the Metropolitan Swimming and Diving Conference for men's and women's swimming. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, and dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on-and-off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 22 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 189 conference championships and 43 Academic All-Americans.
 
To learn more about the tradition of excellence with Sea Gull Athletics, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or on social media @SUSeaGulls.