THE BASICS:
- Score: Assumption 25, Southern Connecticut 8
- Records Assumption (3-0, 2-0 NE10), Southern Connecticut (1-2, 1-1 NE10)
- Location: New Haven, Conn. (Jess Dow Field)
- The Lead: Assumption's offense was held to just 18 points through 57 minutes of action, but the defense was stout as it recorded seven sacks on the way to a 25-8 victory over Southern Connecticut on Friday evening to improve to 3-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After failing to move the ball on its first possession, Seamus Wallace (Pawcatuck, Conn. / Stonington) send a beautiful punt down to the one-yard line to pin Southern Connecticut. Two plays later Elijah Riley (Hartford, Conn. / Northwest Catholic) burst through the line to get the sack in the endzone for the safety and take a 2-0 lead.
- Assumption took the ensuing free kick and got into field goal position but couldn't convert on third down, sending in Cole Tracy (Camarillo, Calif. / Newbury Park). The senior left no doubt with his 38-yard attempt as it went through the uprights for a 5-0 advantage at 9:40. The Hounds drove back down into Owl territory early in the second and Tracy eventually came through with his second field goal of the day, this one a season-long 49 yards with 10:01 remaining in the half.
- Sophomore Shawn Springs Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J. / Timber Creek Regional / Milford Academy) had the first Assumption turnover of the day, with an interception at the 40-yard line and he weaved through defenders down to the 19-yard line. The offense was unable to get the touchdown, but Tracy was good from 37 yards to increase the Assumption lead to 11-0 with 2:41 remaining.
- In the third, following an impressive stop by the defense on third down and a short punt, the Hounds took over on the Southern Conn. 28-yard line. Khaleed Exum-Strong (Norwichtown, Conn. / Norwich Free Academy /) rushed for 10 yards on first down and then Marc Monks (Annandale, N.J. / North Hunterdon) faked out the defense and took it himself 18 yards for the score and 18-0 advantage with 1:58 left in the quarter.
- SCSU got on the board 1:10 into the fourth quarter and converted on the two-point conversion to close the gap to just 18-8. However, the Assumption defense didn't allow another point while recording a pair of fourth down stops.
- The Hounds padded to their lead in the final minutes after Ray Sarkodieh (Paramus, N.J. / Paramus) forced a turnover on downs with a sack. Two plays later, Dylan Oxsen (Plymouth, Mass. / Plymouth South) went right up the middle for a 19-yard score to extend the lead to 25-8.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Assumption was actually outgained in the contest, 368-287 yards, as Southern Connecticut ran 30 more plays on offense. The Owls held a 219-172 edge on the ground and 149-115 advantage in passing yards.
- Oxsen paced the rushing attack with 91 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown while Monks also rushed for a score. However, Monks was just 12-for-26 for 115 yards with two interceptions through the air. Sam Blake (Springfield, Mass. / East Longmeadow) led the team with 64 receiving yards on three receptions.
- The defense recorded at least five sacks for the third straight game this year, led by Sarkodieh with two. Bryce Jacob (Paramus, N.J. / Paramus) finished with a career-high 12 tackles and one sack while Kaleb Silva (Revere, Mass. / Revere) also added 12. Charles Williams III (Hartford, Conn. / A.I. Prince Technical) chipped in nine stops.
- Wallace's punting was essential for Assumption, as four of his seven punts went over 50 yards and he averaged 48 yards per punt while putting four inside the 20. Tracy scored a team-high 11 points, including a season-best 49-yard field goal. It was his seventh career game with at least three field goals.
- Jaron Cogdell led SCSU with 67 rushing yards and one touchdowns while Raymond Catapano finished with 20 carries for 38 yards. He also was 15 of 37 for 149 yards with one interception. Paris Crawford caught six passes for 51 yards. John Strezo led the defense with seven tackles.
UP NEXT:
- Assumption returns to action on Saturday when they host Merrimack on Family Weekend at 1 pm.
STAY CONNECTED:
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