EWING, N.J. – The No. 13 Salisbury University football team rallied from an early deficit to defeat The College of New Jersey, 21-9, on Saturday afternoon at Lions Stadium, opening New Jersey Athletic Conference play with a victory.
The Sea Gulls improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play with the win, overcoming a 9-0 first-quarter deficit by scoring 21 unanswered points over the final three quarters. Salisbury's defense held TCNJ scoreless after the opening period, while the offense finished with 311 total yards, including 228 on the ground.
TCNJ opened the scoring on its first possession, the Lions added to their advantage on their next scoring opportunity, connecting on a 31-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the first quarter to put TCNJ ahead 9-0.
Salisbury put together a 64-yard scoring drive that covered six plays and more than four minutes. SyRus McGowan capped the drive himself, scrambling nine yards for a touchdown with 3:59 remaining in the first half. Ryan Quick added the extra point to cut the TCNJ advantage to 9-7.
Salisbury took its first lead of the afternoon midway through the third quarter. The Sea Gulls marched 86 yards on nine plays, taking 4:50 off the clock before Malachi Dokes powered into the end zone from four yards out. Quick's extra point put Salisbury ahead 14-9 with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter.
The Sea Gull defense continued to control the game, holding TCNJ to just 57 passing yards and forcing the Lions to go scoreless throughout the second half. Salisbury added an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter, putting together another lengthy drive that covered 71 yards on eight plays. Jason Oakes finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run with 8:18 remaining, extending the Sea Gull advantage to 21-9.
The Salisbury defense closed out the victory by keeping TCNJ off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. The Sea Gulls held the Lions to 268 total yards and forced TCNJ to go just 4-for-11 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down. Salisbury finished with 311 yards of total offense on 49 plays, averaging 6.3 yards per play. The Sea Gulls rushed for 228 yards while holding TCNJ to 211 rushing yards.
Game Notes
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McGowan led Salisbury on the ground with 95 rushing yards on 15 carries, including a nine-yard touchdown run. He also completed six of nine passes for 83 yards without throwing an interception.
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Dokes rushed for 40 yards on eight carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a four-yard run in the third quarter.
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Oakes added 18 rushing yards on two carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run that provided the final points of the afternoon.
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Kyle Frank rushed for 31 yards on five carries, while Brody Strachan added 26 yards on two attempts, averaging 13.0 yards per carry.
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Dario Belizaire contributed 69 total yards, rushing for 23 yards on four carries and catching two passes for 46 yards.
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Tyler Ohlmeyer led the Sea Gull defense with 13 tackles, while Nana Eshun-Baidoo added 11 tackles, including a sack and tackle for loss.
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Dylan Lyerly recorded 10 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble for the Salisbury defense.
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Kris Paul finished with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, while Ephram Choy added eight tackles and a pass breakup.
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Salisbury went 3-for-4 in the red zone and converted all three of its extra-point attempts.
Salisbury return to Sea Gull Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 10, to host Rowan University at 1 p.m. for Homecoming.
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.
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