No. 12 Salisbury University football fell to Rowan University, 26-21, on Oct. 10 at Sea Gull Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland. The Sea Gulls held a 21-14 halftime lead during Homecoming before Rowan scored twice in the fourth quarter to secure the NJAC victory.
Salisbury University and Rowan University entered the game with matching 4-1 overall records. Salisbury was 1-1 in NJAC play, while Rowan was 2-0 in the conference.
SyRus McGowan Leads Salisbury University Football
SyRus McGowan led Salisbury University with 92 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. He also passed for 146 yards and accounted for all three of the Sea Gulls’ touchdowns.
McGowan scored on runs of 12 yards, two yards and 47 yards. His first touchdown capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive with seven seconds left in the opening quarter and tied the game at 7-7.
Rowan University regained the lead early in the second quarter on a 47-yard touchdown run by Nigel Jennings. Salisbury responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive, which McGowan finished with a two-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14-14 with 7:25 remaining in the half.
McGowan then gave the Sea Gulls their first lead with a 47-yard touchdown run with two minutes remaining before halftime. Neither team scored in the third quarter.
Rowan University Scores Twice in Fourth Quarter to Take Lead
Rowan pulled within one point early in the fourth quarter when Nate Maiers threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Gallagher with 11:19 remaining. Rowan’s extra point attempt failed, leaving Salisbury University ahead 21-20.
Rowan completed the comeback in the final minute. Jennings scored on an eight-yard run with 56 seconds left after the Profs drove 70 yards on 10 plays. Rowan’s two-point attempt failed, but the touchdown put the visitors ahead 26-21, and Salisbury could not stage a late comeback.
Salisbury University Football Statistical Leaders
Dario Belizaire added 34 rushing yards on three carries and led Salisbury University with three receptions for 49 yards. Brody Strachan recorded four receptions for 45 yards, while Tyler Orth had a 40-yard reception.
Dylan Lyerly led the Salisbury defense with 11 total tackles, including five solo tackles. Tyler Ohlmeyer and Joe Rosano each recorded 10 tackles, with Ohlmeyer adding a sack for a seven-yard loss. Patrick Sheil finished with seven tackles and two pass breakups.
Salisbury finished with 314 yards of total offense, including 168 rushing yards. Rowan totaled 351 yards, including 197 passing yards and 154 rushing yards.
The Sea Gulls possessed the ball for 30:10 and converted three of four red-zone scoring opportunities into touchdowns or scores. Salisbury converted four of 12 third-down opportunities, while Rowan went 6-for-17.
Next Game for Salisbury University Football
Salisbury University will travel to Vermont State University Castleton on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for noon.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Salisbury University football built a seven-point halftime lead behind McGowan’s three rushing touchdowns, but Rowan University controlled the decisive portion of the game by scoring twice in the fourth quarter. The Sea Gulls finished with 314 yards and held possession for more than 30 minutes, but Rowan’s late scoring drive proved decisive at Sea Gull Stadium.
Read the official Salisbury University game recap.
Source: Original report
