SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 17 Salisbury University football program opened its 2026 season in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, shutting out McDaniel College 31-0 at Sea Gull Stadium.
The Sea Gulls (1-0) opened the game with a lengthy drive that reached the McDaniel seven-yard line, but a missed 24-yard field goal kept the game scoreless early. The SU defense quickly settled in, forcing a three-and-out on the Green Terror's opening possession.
Salisbury broke through on its second possession of the afternoon. After a 16-yard run by Brody Strachan moved the Sea Gulls into McDaniel territory, SyRus McGowan connected with Jason Oakes on a 49-yard touchdown pass to put SU ahead 7-0 with 5:23 remaining in the first quarter.
The Sea Gull defense continued to control the game, while the offense put together another sustained scoring drive in the second quarter. Salisbury marched 64 yards on 12 plays, taking 8:37 off the clock before Strachan capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
Just over a minute later, McGowan found Brayden Rogers for a 27-yard touchdown, giving the Sea Gulls a 21-0 advantage with 8:35 remaining in the first half.
Salisbury's defense kept McDaniel off the scoreboard throughout the opening half, limiting the Green Terror to just 89 total yards. The Sea Gulls carried a 21-0 lead into halftime.
The Sea Gulls added to their advantage in the third quarter when Ryan Quick connected on a 36-yard field goal with 1:14 remaining in the period, extending the lead to 24-0.
Salisbury's defense continued its dominant performance in the second half, while the offense put together another long scoring drive in the fourth quarter. The Sea Gulls marched 64 yards on 13 plays, taking 9:30 off the clock before Dario Belizaire powered his way into the end zone from six yards out to cap the scoring at 31-0.
The shutout marked a dominant opening-day performance for the Sea Gulls, who finished the afternoon with 377 yards of total offense while holding McDaniel to just 173 yards. Salisbury also held a significant advantage on the ground, rushing for 179 yards compared to just nine for the Green Terror.
Game Notes
- The Sea Gulls finished with 377 yards of total offense, including 198 passing yards and 179 rushing yards. Salisbury averaged 6.9 yards per play and recorded 21 first downs.
- Salisbury held McDaniel to 173 total yards and just nine rushing yards on 22 attempts. The Green Terror averaged only 2.8 yards per play.
- McGowan completed seven of 12 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also rushed for 39 yards on six carries.
- Rogers led the Sea Gull receiving corps with three catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Oakes hauled in one pass for 49 yards and a score.
- Belizaire finished with 26 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding a 25-yard reception. He also recorded 101 total yards when including his 64 punt-return yards and 37-yard kickoff return.
- Frank led Salisbury with 32 rushing yards, while D.J. Brown added 25 yards on three carries. Strachan finished with 14 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Ellis Tompkins and Dylan Lyerly led the Sea Gull defense with seven tackles apiece. Lyerly also recorded an interception, while Alex Miller recovered a fumble that he caused and added four tackles.
- Salisbury recorded four sacks, eight tackles for loss and forced two McDaniel turnovers. The Sea Gulls also held the Green Terror to four-of-14 on third down and two-of-three on fourth down.
- Salisbury controlled the clock for 33:29 and converted five of nine third-down opportunities.
The Sea Gulls return to Sea Gull Stadium next Saturday, September 19, when they host Washington and Lee University 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.
