NEW HAVEN, Conn.– The Assumption University football team's defense stifled the Southern Connecticut State University Owls, as the Greyhounds defeated SCSU 25-14 in Northeast 10 Conference action, Saturday afternoon at Jess Dow Field.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 25, Southern Connecticut State University 14
Records: Greyhounds (4-2, 3-0 NE10) | Owls (4-2, 2-1 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption jumped out to an early lead against Southern Connecticut State, scoring 10 unanswered points in the opening quarter. The Greyhounds broke through with 6:35 remaining when
Dom Santiago connected with
Keith Mancini for a 13-yard touchdown pass, capping a six-play, 59-yard drive.
Luke Liborio converted the extra point, giving Assumption a 7-0 lead. The Greyhounds extended their lead to 10-0 with 1:02 remaining in the quarter, as Liborio connected on a 32-yard field goal.
Southern Connecticut State responded in the second quarter with an 11-play, 54-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run from Mike Kinik at the 4:47 mark, cutting the Assumption lead to 10-7. The Greyhounds' defense delivered a crucial play in the closing seconds of the half, recording a safety with nine seconds remaining to extend the lead to 12-7 heading into the break.
After a scoreless third-quarter opening, Assumption added to its advantage on a 10-play, 45-yard drive that ended with a 30-yard field goal from
Luke Liborio with 1:55 remaining. The Greyhounds' defense quickly gave the offense another chance, and Santiago capitalized with a 12-yard touchdown run as the quarter ended. Liborio added the extra point, giving Assumption a commanding 22-7 lead entering the fourth.
The Greyhounds continued to control the contest in the fourth quarter, putting together a seven-play, 33-yard drive that consumed 4:36 off the clock. Liborio capped the possession with a 22-yard field goal at 4:51, extending Assumption's lead to 25-7. Southern Connecticut State answered with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Jorgensen to Andres Perez with 1:49 remaining, but the Greyhounds held on to secure the 25-14 Northeast-10 Conference victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Dom Santiago led the Assumption offense with 13-for-22 passing for 132 yards and one touchdown, while also adding 48 yards and a score on the ground.
- Kaiden Brochu led the Greyhounds with 17 carries for 65 yards, while Widley Jean-Francois had 12 carries for 42 yards.
- John Walsh-Karam led the Hounds' passing attack with five catches for 44 yards, while Keith Mancini had three catches for 23 yards and a score.
- Manny Cox headlined the Assumption defense with 3.0 sacks and eight total tackles. The Hounds had seven sacks, while adding two interceptions and a safety.
- The Greyhounds' defense held Southern Connecticut to just 168 total yards, the lowest output the Owls have allowed since Stonehill held them to 111 on Nov. 13, 2021.
- Assumption leads the all-time series 14-12.
UP NEXT
- Assumption at Saint Anselm College, Thursday, October 22, 6:00 pm.
- Southern Connecticut at Bentley University, Saturday, October 24, 1:00 pm
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