SALISBURY, Md. - The No. 3 Salisbury University football program earned a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals after taking down No. 15 Randolph-Macon College 35-14 Saturday afternoon inside Sea Gull Stadium. This is the 6th NCAA quarterfinal appearance for the Sea Gulls (1983, '85, '86, 2011, '19).

The SU offense struggled to get going early, committing two turnovers, but the defense stood tall, forcing two three-and-outs from the Yellow Jackets to start. The game headed into the second quarter scoreless with Randolph-Macon driving. 

With the Yellow Jacket offense knocking on the door, the Sea Gull defense came up with a fourth down stop on the eight-yard line. SU followed the defensive stand with a seven-play drive as SyRus McGowan found Micah Brubaker for a 26-yard touchdown pass.

After another defensive stop for the Sea Gulls, Ronald Clark broke loose for a 62-yard touchdown run giving SU a 14-0 lead that they could carry into the halftime break. 

The Salisbury defense started the second half just like they started the first, forcing a three-and-out from the Yellow Jackets. SU once again followed the defensive stand with a seven-play drive scoring this time from a six-yard scamper from Dario Belizaire taking a commanding 21-0 lead.

The Sea Gulls would add to that lead before the end of the third as McGowan found Alex Richards from 37 yards out. SU took a 28-0 advantage into the final quarter of action.

After two scores from the Yellow Jackets, Salisbury recovered an onside kick and scored one play later as McGowan sprinted from 44 yards out giving SU a 35-14 lead and shutting the door on the Yellow Jackets.

Game Notes

• McGowan totaled 178 yards and three touchdowns
• Clark and Belizaire combined for 140 yards on the ground and two scores
• Ben Spiess tallied eight tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss
• Sherman Hatton tallied two sacks
• SU totaled 287 yards on the ground while holding the Yellow Jackets to just 14
• The Sea Gull defense held Randolph-Macon to 4-16 on third down conversions and 2-6 on fourth down

Salisbury will be back in Sea Gull Stadium on Dec. 14th when they host Mount Union at noon for the NCAA quarterfinals.

Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming) and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's 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 won a combined 23 team national championships, 24 individual national championships, and 201 conference championships, and have produced 50 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.