Rowan Unable to Overcome Early Mistakes, Salisbury Wins 35-20
Saturday, October 21, 2023
GLASSBORO, NJ (OCTOBER 21, 2023)(CNBNews)-– Rowan fell behind early and, despite a second-half push, couldn’t overcome Salisbury, dropping a 35-20 decision in NJAC football action today at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.
Salisbury (4-3; 3-1 NJAC) scored 28 consecutive points before Rowan (2-5; 1-2) got on the board with 4:08 remaining in the third quarter. The Profs put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive, as Nate Maiers connected with a wide open Corey Gordon in the end zone for a 21-yard reception.
The Profs scored again, starting their next drive with a touchback after Salisbury fumbled through the end zone at the end of the third quarter. Rowan went 80 yards in just six plays as Kevin Degnan caught passes of 22 and 17 yards, John Scibilia had a 13-yard reception and Jake Schicke pulled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Maiers to cut the deficit to 28-14.
The Sea Gulls countered with another score, as they held the ball for over six minutes, and increased the lead to 35-14 on a 3-yard run by Joey Bildstein.
Rowan added one more touchdown with 2:15 to play as Vincent Guarino forced a fumble and Nick Cerulli scooped it up and ran for 64 yards for his first career touchdown. Salisbury blocked the extra point and the 35-20 margin stood.
Salisbury opened the scoring late in the first quarter on a six-yard run by Jadyn Thomas, culminating a nine-play, 75-yard drive by the Sea Gulls.
The Sea Gulls added two more touchdowns before halftime to run their lead to 21-0. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the quarter, Salisbury forced a Rowan fumble at the Profs’ 14-yard line and needed just one play to score as Thomas ran it in from 14 yards out.
Salisbury had good field position at the Profs’ 30 after a punt by the home team and needed seven plays to score, as dstein ran it in from the one-yard line, with 4:18 remaining in the half.
The Sea Gulls added another in the third quarter, going 66 yards in 12 plays, with Bildstein punching it in again from the one to up the lead to 28-0.
Maiers was 21-for-31 for 213 yards for Rowan, with Gordon pulling in four catches for 97 yards and Degnan posting 10 receptions for 76 yards. On the ground, the Profs managed just 53 yards.
Salisbury gained 387 yards on the ground with quarterback Ben Hutchins attempting just four passes. Bildstein led the way with 121 yards.
After two consecutive home games, the Profs go on the road for the next two weekends, playing at Montclair State on October 28 and at Kean on November 4. Rowan closes out the season on Friday, November 10 against William Paterson in Glassboro.