SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University football team returns to the road on Saturday, Oct. 31, as the Sea Gulls travel to face William Paterson University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Wightman Stadium from Wayne, N.J.
Salisbury enters the contest at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in NJAC play following a 24-14 loss to Montclair State on Senior Day. The Sea Gulls will look to get back on track against a William Paterson squad that is 0-7 overall and 0-4 in conference play after a 30-15 defeat at Kean.
THE RUNDOWN
GAME NOTES
LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
The Series: Salisbury holds an 11-3 advantage in the all-time series against Montclair State and has won the last 10 meetings between the programs. The Sea Gulls earned a 56-21 victory in last season's matchup on Oct. 18, 2025, in Montclair, New Jersey. Salisbury has continued to control the series since 2015, with its most recent win extending the program's winning streak against the Red Hawks to 10 games. The first meeting between the teams came in 1986, when Salisbury claimed a 13-6 victory.
Last Time Out: Salisbury fell to Montclair State, 24-14, on Oct. 24 at Sea Gull Stadium. The Sea Gulls totaled 228 rushing yards on 37 carries but were limited to 67 passing yards. SyRus McGowan led the rushing effort with 75 yards and a touchdown, while Dario Belizaire added 56 rushing yards and a 25-yard touchdown run. Dylan Lyerly and Kris Paul each recorded 12 tackles, and Josh Gyamfi forced a fumble.
Scouting the Pioneers: William Paterson enters Saturday looking for its first win of the 2026 season. The Pioneers are averaging 8.1 points and approximately 174 yards of total offense per game, while allowing 34.6 points per contest. William Paterson has struggled to establish a consistent ground game, averaging approximately 72 rushing yards per game. Ethan MacNair leads the Pioneers with 286 rushing yards and one touchdown in four games, while Arise Ceide has added 187 yards on the ground. Quarterback JC Landicini has thrown for 551 yards and two touchdowns in the latest cumulative statistics available in the game notes. Blake Wypler leads the receiving group with 21 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Pioneers have playmakers up front. Kaiden Rex has recorded 35 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in the statistics listed in the game notes. Joseph Pressley has contributed 36 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while Terrill Yankson leads the team with 41 tackles and two interceptions.
Up Next: Salisbury continues NJAC play on Saturday, Nov. 7, with a road matchup against Kean University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Union, New Jersey.
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), Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse), State University of New York Athletic Conference (field hockey), and Colonial Women's Golf Conference (women's golf). 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, 26 individual national championships, and 211 conference championships, and have produced 54 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
