Greyhound football stopped by Southern Connecticut, 33-17, in Northeast-10 slugfest

October 5, 2007

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT 33, ASSUMPTION 17

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Freshman running back JEROM FREEMAN (Peekskill, NY/Peeksill) rushed 31 times for a career- and season-best 248 yards and three touchdowns leading Southern Connecticut State past Assumption, 33-17, in Northeast-10 Conference football FRIDAY night.

The Owls, now 3-3 and 2-2 in the conference, were dominate offensively with 469 yards of total offense including 308 rushing (only the 27th time in Hounds history they have allowed over 300). They also converted an amazing eight-of-15 third down opportunities.

The Greyhounds, now 1-5 and 1-4, however took the opening kickoff and drove 52 yards on just seven plays to take the early lead. Sophomore DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/Narragansett) returned the kickoff 32 yards to the Hounds 48 with Southern Connecticut's KYLE SANDBURG (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) making the touchdown saving tackle.

On fourth down at the Owls 47 the Greyhounds short snapped to the up man, freshman JEFF MOORE (Worcester, MA/St. John's) who rambled 41 yards all the way to the six. Junior quarterback TAYLOR HUMPHREY (Lafayette, CA/Miramonte) found senior wide out JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) on a three-yard TD pass. Senior JON EISELE (Lower Gwynedd, PA/Vermont Academy) kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Southern Connecticut would convert their next two possessions to take a 10-7 advantage.

Freshman CHARLES GALLAGHER (Hartford, CT/Public) kicked a 24 yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 56-yard march. Junior quarterback STEVE ARMSTRONG (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) completed three passes in the drive of 20 yards to senior tight end ROBERT FELDER (Jersey CIty, NJ/Henry Snyder), 10 yards to junior wide receiver JONATHAN LEE (Norwalk, CT/Brien McMahon) and 16 yards to Freeman. Hounds junior safety CHRIS MARTINO (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) made a sensational tip of a pass intended for junior wide receiver CHRIS BERGESKI (Mountainside, NJ/Gov. Livingston) in the end zone forcing the field goal attempt.

After a three-and-out by the Greyhounds, Southern Connecticut then drove 61 yards in nine plays to take the lead. Freeman rushed for 48 yards, including a spectacular 37-yards scamper for the touchdown. Gallagher's conversion made it 10-7.

In the second period the Owls took advantage of a mishandled snap and recovery by junior tackle DESMOND LYMON (West Haven, CT/West Haven). An Armstrong-to-sophomore tight end TOM CERNY (Mahwah, NJ/Mahwah) eight yard pass was followed by a Freeman 10-yard touchdown run up-the-middle. Gallagher's conversion made it a 10-point game, 17-7.

Gallagher kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 20-7 as the Owls moved 73 yards in seven plays with two big plays highlighting the drive. Armstrong connected with Bergeski for 38 yards and again for 29 yards.

An interception by Martino helped the Greyhounds closer in the third period. A 35-yard field goal by Eisele made it 20-10 just before the half ended.

In the third period Humphrey connected with junior wide receiver JOEY FABIANO (Westwood, MA/Westwood) on a 76-yard touchdown strike (Eisele conversion) to make it 20-17. It was the sixth-longest pass reception in Greyhounds football history.

The Greyhounds then executed a perfect onside kick catching the Owls by surprise as Martino plucked the ball out of the air at the Greyhounds 45. Humphrey however was intercepted on the first play by freshman free safety DAVID BELLI (Manchester, CT/East Catholic).

Southern ran nine times in 11 plays with Freeman carrying seven for 45 yards including the final 16 for the touchdown on the final play of the third period. Gallagher's conversion made it a 10-point game, 27-17.

A partially blocked punt by Owls sophomore outside linebacker MARQUES JENKINS (Springfield, MA/Longmeadow) set up the final score. Senior fullback CHRISTOPHER KOZIOL (Ware, MA/Ware) scored from 20 yard out with a up-the-gut run. Gallagher's conversion made the final, 33-17.

The Greyhounds are at American International College in another Northeast-10 Conference game next Saturday at 1 p.m. Southern Connecticut hosts Pace Friday at 7 p.m.

GREYHOUND NOTES: sophomore linebacker DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins) was sensational with a career-best 5-15--20 tackles including a shared quarterback sack and a pass break-up . . . he is just the EIGHTH player in Hounds history with 20 or more tackles and the first since Phuoc Huynh (Worcester, MA) had 18-2--20 against M.I.T. (10-11-97) . . . his 15 assists are the THIRD highest total in Hounds history . . . junior free safety CHRIS MARTINO (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) ended with 6-4- 10 tackles, 1 key break-up, an interception, and a recovery of an onside kick . . . senior wide receiver JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) has now caught a pass in 19 straight games . . . he ended the game with five catches for 23 yards . . . he now has 23 for 291 yards this season and 131 in his career for 1,582 yards . . . the Hounds career mark is 140 catches by Eric Mauer '01 he also trails just Mauer (2,166 yards) and Don Kinney '89 (1,686 yards) in that department . . . sophomore wide out DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/Narragansett) had four receptions for 52 yards and now has 68 for his career for 838 yards . . . Canney could become the seventh Hound with over 1,000 yards receiving this year . . .

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