UNION, N.J. – The Salisbury University football team earned a hard-fought 21-12 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) victory over Kean University on Saturday afternoon at Kean Alumni Stadium. The Sea Gulls used a pair of second-half rushing touchdowns and a strong defensive performance to secure their seventh win of the season.
Salisbury improves to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in NJAC play, while Kean falls to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in conference action.
The Cougars opened the scoring with a safety at the 13:35 mark of the first quarter to take a 2-0 lead. Salisbury responded late in the opening period, putting together a nine-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 37-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Orth. SyRus McGowan connected with Orth with just 21 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Kean trimmed the deficit in the second quarter with a 25-yard field goal, making it a 7-5 game with 1:57 remaining in the first half. The Cougars had an opportunity to add to their lead before halftime, but a 44-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful, sending Salisbury into the break with a two-point advantage.
The Sea Gulls extended their lead midway through the third quarter. After moving 83 yards on seven plays, Dario Belizaire broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run with 5:01 remaining in the period. This put him into the Sea Gull football history books as the programs all time leader in touchdowns in a career.
Kean answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a seven-yard touchdown run from with 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The extra point brought the Cougars within two at 14-12.
Salisbury responded with a lengthy fourth-quarter drive to put the game away. The Sea Gulls marched 71 yards on 10 plays, using six minutes of possession before Isaiah Holbrook punched in a seven-yard touchdown run with 3:42 remaining. Ryan Quick converted the extra point to establish the final 21-12 margin.
Game Notes
- Salisbury finished with 247 yards of total offense, including 167 rushing yards.
- Belizaire led all Salisbury rushers with 77 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
- Orth caught three passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
- Cole Ferrara recorded nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
- Salisbury's defense totaled four sacks and held Kean to 85 rushing yards.
- The Sea Gulls converted five of nine third-down attempts and held Kean to one touchdown.
Salisbury returns home for the 2026 season finale on Saturday, Nov. 14th, against CNU at 1 p.m.
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.
