SALISBURY Md. – The Salisbury University football team embarks on another season on the gridiron. The team is looking to get back on top of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and return to the NCAA Tournament. The Sea Gulls open the 2024 season against the Washington & Lee Generals on Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff from Sea Gull Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

THE RUNDOWN
LIVE STATS
LIVE STREAM

The Series: This is the second time the Sea Gulls and Generals have faced off in football. In last year's season opener at Washington & Lee, Salisbury picked up a 28-7 win by forcing four turnovers, all fumbles. The Sea Gulls scored 21 points off the four turnovers while tallying 304 yards of total offense.

Last Season: The 2023 Salisbury football program finished the season with a 6-4 overall record while going 4-2 in the NJAC. The Sea Gulls faced a lot of adversity last season due to injuries but were able to finish the season by winning five of their last six games. This year's team will look to build on the momentum and resiliency that last year's team gained. Since 2019 the Sea Gulls have a combined record of 34-9 and look to add to the win totals this season. 

The Captains: Salisbury will have four captains to lead the flock in 2024. Seniors Tony Mason and Jaden Davis along with junior Jimmy Celentano and graduate student Tre Price were announced as team captains heading into the season opener.

Season-Opening Success: Since joining the NJAC in 2015, the Sea Gulls have a 7-2 record in season openers. Salisbury and Albright had previously met in seven of the previous eight season openers with the Sea Gulls holding the 5-2 edge over the Lions, including the current four-game win streak. Last season the Sea Gulls opened the year with a commanding win on the road against Washington & Lee.

All-NJAC Returners: The squad returns five All-NJAC selections in 2023. Junior Kollin Samaha is returning after earning NJAC Special Teams Player of the Year and AllNJAC First Team. Team Captain Tre Price and graduate student Frankie Giannetti also earned All-NJAC First Team. Tony Mason earned All-NJAC Second Team while senior Sa'Veon Olfus earned All-NJAC Honorable Mention.

The Class of the NJAC: Since joining the NJAC in 2015, Salisbury has won 59 games in the conference. The 59 wins stand as the most wins among active teams in the conference. Since joining the NJAC in 2015, Salisbury has won five conference championships which is the most in the eight-year span. 

Among the Greats: Salisbury head coach Sherman Wood ranks in the top-15 of active coaches in wins, regardless of NCAA Division. Entering 2024, Coach Wood totaled 202 victories as head coach with stints at Bowie State and SU. Wood has more career wins than other notable coaches with 20 years or more of experience than Rich Rodriguez of Jacksonville St. and Terry Bowden of Louisiana-Monroe.

Scouting Washington & Lee: The Blue and White are coming off an 8-3 season (6-1 in ODAC), which earned them the right to host the inaugural Cape Charles Bowl at Wilson Field against Lycoming College.

This year, the Generals return ten offensive starters, including All-ODAC selections Jacob Romero, Tucker Jacobsen, Harrison Donovan, Marcus Payne, and Evan Novak. On the defensive side, the Blue and White bring back seven starters from 2023, including Will Mahmud, Will Knight, Jack Johnson, and Charlie Fleming.

Up Next: Salisbury will be right back in Sea Gull next week when they host Muhlenberg at 4 p.m. for their Special Olympics Maryland Lower Shore Fundraiser game.

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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 23 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, 199 conference championships, and 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.