Gulls improve to 4-3 with Homecoming win over Union.

By GoGulls  |   Thursday, October 29, 2009  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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Jr kicker Tommy Kowalick (Sterling, Va.) drilled a 22-yard field goal with four minutes remaining and Sr defensive back Brandon Hudson (Delmar, Md.) saved the game with an interception on the next possession as the SU gutted out a 19-16 win over Union (N.Y.) College on Homecoming Weekend.

The Gulls (4-3) used two huge defensive stops to lead the team to another home win (4-0). With the game tied at 16 all, the D was facing a 4th-and-2 from its own 21-yard line but Sr defensive end Paul Cynewski (Moorestown, N.J.) brought down a Dutchman Rb 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Salisbury took the lead on the following possession after Kowalick's FG.

With Kowalick's FG, now 5-for-7 on field goal attempts, he also is 24-of-25 PAT's. The game winner was not easy, as the snap to holder Keith Polizois (Flanders, N.J.) was a little off target. But, Polizois was able to get the snap down for Kowalick to push the game winner through the uprights.

Gulls Head Coach Sherman Wood, celebrating a birthday said "We want to do everything we can to win the special teams game," adding. "If we do that, we feel we can be close or even favored to win the football game."

Union (5-2) started its final drive at its own 18-yard line but had back to back big plays to land in SU territory, on it's second consecutive drive. On 2nd-and-5, Dutchmen QB Drew Connolly darted left and found a receiver, but Hudson would step in front of the pass for his second INT to secure the win.

Hudson led Gull D with the two picks also adding a pair of pass breakups, and a crucial knockdown to save an Union TD in the 2nd period. Cynewski had one sack and picked up a team-high 10 tackles (4.5 for loss). Jr LB Justin Chura (Lothian, Md.) had eight tackles (five solo) while Sr LB Eric Arndt (Waldwick, N.J.) and Jr DL Riley Fritts (Columbia, Md.) had six and seven tackles, respectively. Jr WR Anthony Arellano (Woodbridge, Va.) and senior wide out D.J. Nelson (Mullica Hill, N.J.) each had one fumble recovery.

Salisbury started the scoring with a safety when Union let punt snap go through its own end zone. The Gulls had a pair of 7-yard TD runs by Jr QB Sean Kelly (Fallston, Md.) and the D blanked the Dutchman in the 1st half to send Salisbury into halftime leading 16-0. Union started the 3rd period with back-to-back scores to tie the contest, but the scores would not hold up as the Gulls went on for their 4th victory of the season.

SU (4-3) was led in the offensive department by Kelly, who ran for a career-high 119 yards on 17 carries and scored the Gulls only two TD's. Sophomore slot back Randal Smedley (Frederick, Md.) also had a big day running for 81 yards while junior slot back Bryan Woolson (White Hall, Md.) and senior slot back Valdase Morris (Salisbury, Md.) picked up 35 yards. The receivers were led by sophomore Phillip Sheppard (Manchester, Md.), who caught two passes for 24 yards.

Salisbury will be on the road (0-3) for its next two games starting with a clash at Atlantic Central Football Conference rival #4 Wesley College, Halloween Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. Pre game will be at 1245p on 1320 AM WICO locally in Salisbury, and on the web at wicotalk.com with Bill Reddish (play-by-play) and J. Brooks (analyst)
providing all the action.

NOTE:

Salisbury had three individuals honored by the Atlantic Central Football Conference (ACFC) for their part in the Sea Gulls' dramatic 19-16 victory over Union (N.Y.) College. It was the first meeting between the two schools since a 23-21 SU loss in the 1983 NCAA tournament.

Salisbury (4-3, 1-0 ACFC) Sr DB Brandon Hudson (Delmar, Md.) was named Defensive Co-Player of the Week, sophomore kicker Tommy Kowalick (Sterling, Va.) was named Special Teams Player of the Week, and freshman linebacker Matt McMurdo (Chalfont, Pa.) was named Rookie of the Week. This is the second time this season that both Hudson and Kowalick have been recognized by the ACFC.
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