WESTMINSTER, Md. – The Salisbury University football team used an efficient offensive attack and special teams magic to roll to its fourth win in five games, a 59-20 demolition of the McDaniel Green Terror on Saturday afternoon at Kenneth R. Gill Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter

• After forcing a three-and-out on the Green Terror's first drive, A.J. Butler returned a punt 23 yards to the McDaniel 35 yard line. The Sea Gulls needed just three plays to crack the scoreboard as Joey Bildstein barreled his way to a 27-yard touchdown run to put SU on top 7-0.
• Kameron Harris blocked McDaniel's next punt to set Salisbury up just 23 yards from the end zone. Kollin Samaha soon after split the uprights from 36 yards out to make it 10-0.
• The Green Terror then botched a fake punt as Colin Wargo tackled punter Connor Schoene at the McDaniel 15, then two plays later Ronald Clark ran it in from 14 yards out to boost the SU lead to 17-0.

Second Quarter

• McDaniel's next drive stayed alive after SU roughed the punter, and the home side eventually completed a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a Trent Gaskins nine-yard touchdown rush to get on the board, 17-7.
• After SU's first punt of the day, the Sea Gull special teams again broke through as Casey Counts blocked a punt to set his offense up on the McDaniel 27. Moments later on a 4th-and-1 from the 18, Kharee Stephens scampered to the house to build the lead back to 24-7.
• The Green Terror finally got a punt off and pinned Salisbury on its own 19. From there, Gage Katzenell-Hall orchestrated a quick four-play, 81-yard drive, finding Micah Brubaker for an 18-yard touchdown pass to make it 31-7.

Third Quarter

• Mason Fisher returned the opening kickoff of the second half 42 yards to the SU 48. Three plays later, Katzenell-Hall again spied an open Brubaker for a 52-yard touchdown strike to give Salisbury a 38-7 cushion.
• Butler returned another punt deep into McDaniel territory, and the Sea Gulls needed a mere four plays to punch it in again. Katzenell-Hall hit Anthony Behrmann down at the one, and Bildstein powered it in to make it 45-7.
• The Green Terror got that touchdown back on another 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a five-yard pass from Angel Granado to Sean Carter to make it 45-14.
• Jadyn Thomas ran the ensuing kickoff back 78 yards all the way to the McDaniel 14. Three plays later, Bildstein found the end zone for the third time on a 17-yard rush to push it back to 52-14.

Fourth Quarter

• Diego Mendez hit Daniel Clark from 17 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it eight Sea Gull touchdowns on the day and a 59-14 lead.
• McDaniel put up one more score as Granado hit Logan Marsh for a one-yard touchdown pass. Fisher blocked the ensuing extra point to keep the game at its final 59-20 margin.

SALISBURY GAME NOTES

• Salisbury put up 359 total yards of offense on just 51 plays, averaging 7.04 yards per snap. The Sea Gulls ran for 221 yards and gained 138 yards through the air.
• The Sea Gulls' 59 points mark their highest offensive output for the season and their most since hanging 70 at TCNJ on Oct. 22, 2022.
• Joey Bildstein ran for three more touchdowns, giving him 12 in five games this season, rushing for 76 yards on 12 carries. With 2,792 career rushing yards, Bildstein has now surpassed Dwayne Humenik '85 (2,784) for seventh in Sea Gull history and sits one yard behind Randal Smedley '11 for sixth.
• Kharee Stephens and Ronald Clark ran it into the end zone from 18 and 14 yards out, respectively.
• Gage Katzenell-Hall completed 4-of-5 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Diego Mendez completed his only pass attempt for 17 yards and a touchdown.
• Micah Brubaker scored a touchdown on both of his receptions, totaling 70 receiving yards. Daniel Clark caught a 17-yard touchdown pass.
• Brock Keeler led the Sea Gull defense with eight tackles (three solo).
• Casey Counts racked up seven tackles (four solo), including two sacks, a forced fumble, and a blocked punt.
• Sa'Veon Olfus also recorded a sack.
• Patrick Sheil intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter, and Robert Smith recovered a fumble in the same period.
• Kollin Samaha converted one 36-yard field goal and all eight PATs.
• Salisbury blocked three McDaniel kicks – two punts and an extra point – and neutralized a fake punt. SU has now blocked eight kicks on the year.
• The Sea Gulls put up 256 return yards on the day. Jadyn Thomas and Mason Fisher ran back 78 and 76 yards on kickoffs, respectively, while A.J. Butler racked up 52 punt return yards.

McDANIEL GAME NOTES

• McDaniel totaled 346 yards on offense, including 307 through the air.
• Angel Granado completed 32-of-49 passes for 307 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
• Hunter Sigler caught six passes for 87 yards, while Sean Carter and Logan Marsh each reeled in a receiving touchdown.
• Trent Gaskins totaled 36 yards on 16 rushes and one touchdown.
• Jevin Tranquillo tallied 10 tackles, including five solo stuffs. Tranquillo and Kori Bryant teamed up for one sack.

UP NEXT

• The Sea Gulls will wrap up the regular season at home against Kean on Friday, Nov. 10, with kickoff from Sea Gull Stadium set for 7 p.m.
• With Christopher Newport's 19-14 loss to Montclair State, Salisbury remains in the hunt for a share of first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). The Sea Gulls can tie for the top of the league with a win and a CNU loss at TCNJ on Friday.
• As part of a White Out promotion, the first 500 students at the game will receive a free, limited-edition white out t-shirt. The game will also feature an SGA Kickoff Party at 5:30 p.m. and postgame fireworks.
• SU will also celebrate 16 graduating members of its football team before the game: Casey Counts, Joey Bildstein, A.J. Butler, Gabe Williams, David Fletcher, Josh Barker, Gabriel Mendez, Charles Barley, Hunter Hruz, Anthony Behrmann, Brock Keeler, Jake Bendorf, Ryan Muller, Connor Shephard, Collin Holmes, and Marquise Spriggs.

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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 and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 196 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.