Bowie, Md. (September 1) -- After Assumption edged ahead by a 20-17 margin with 33.8 seconds remaining, Bowie State scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass to Douglas McNeil with 5.7 seconds left to rally for a 24-20 win over the Hounds on Saturday afternoon. Assumption is receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II National Top-25 Preseason Poll.

On the first Bowie State possession of the game, senior Sonny Dillinger (Naples, Fla./St. John Neumann) recovered a fumble at the 17-yard line and set the Hounds up in great field position. Assumption made the Bulldogs play on the next play as junior Bobby Jordan (Cromwell, Conn./Cromwell) found senior tight end Sean Daigle (Auburn, Maine/Edward Little) for the 17-yard touchdown and the early 7-0 lead with 11:57 left in the first.

The Hounds added to that lead almost eight minutes later as senior Nick Bolio (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) capped off an 11-play, 64-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown dive and the 14-0 advantage. The Bulldogs cut that advantage in half with 1:59 left in the second quarter as Jared Johnston found Reginald McIntyre in the left corner of the end zone from 22 yards out. On the ensuing kickoff, Assumption's Darius Daniels (Clearwater, Fla./Tarpon) returned the kick from inside the end zone for what appeared to be a 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown. That play negated by a holding penalty however and the game went into the half at 14-7. The Hounds had six penalties for 112 in the opening half.

The Bulldogs tied the game on the opening drive of the second half, tying the score on a one-yard touchdown lob to McNeil with 10:39 left in the third. The drive was kept alive by yet another Assumption penalty after the Hounds stopped the Bulldogs on a third down and goal play.

On third down pinned deep in their own territory, Johnston fumbled the ball at the two yard line, but was able to pick the ball up and run down the far sideline for the first down. That kept the drive alive and the Bulldogs later made it first and goal from the six yard line after a 49-yard pass over the top to McNeil. A trio of Bulldog penalties backed them up to the 21-yard line on second down and after coming up empty on third and goal, Mario Diaz-Aviles converted a 37-yard field goal to put the Bulldogs out in front by a 17-14 margin with 1:54 left in the game.

The Hounds weren't done though and with 33.8 seconds left, junior tight end Scott Simonson (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) scored on a 31-yard touchdown catch just inside the pylon to put Assumption in front 20-17. After a missed PAT, the Bulldogs got the ball back at their own 35-yard line.

After a 19-yard pass completion and a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty, the Hounds' 16th penalty of the game, Johnston found McNeil in the end zone with 5.7 seconds left for the game-winning score.

Pedone was the leading rusher for the Hounds with 56 yards, while Jordan completed 16-of-27 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Simonson finished the game with six catches for 77 yards and one touchdown.

With the loss, Assumption falls to 0-1 on the season, while Bowie State is now 1-0.

Assumption opens its home schedule on Friday, September 7 as Saint Anselm visits the Multi-Sport Stadium in the Northeast-10 opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The game will be available live at www.assumptiongreyhounds.tv, with Scott Sudikoff (play-by-play) and Roei Biberstain (color) calling all the action.

For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240.