Sep 02, 2022
SALISBURY, Md. – The 22nd-ranked Salisbury University football team opened the book on its 2022 season in grand fashion, blanking the Albright Lions, 49-0, for its first shutout in three years on Friday night at Sea Gull Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
- After each side's first drive went for naught, the Sea Gulls broke the ice toward the end of the first quarter. Baebea Sayeh capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive by plunging into the endzone for a rushing touchdown to make it 7-0 with 2:21 to go in the first.
Second Quarter
- SU forced a punt on the Lions' next drive and took over on its own 29 early in the second. Quarterback Andre Matthews accounted for 61 of the 71 yards on the drive, throwing for 30 yards and rushing for 31, including a 13-yard scamper at the 11:02 mark to build the Sea Gull lead to 14-0.
- The Sea Gulls executed a two-minute drill to close out the first half, marching 55 yards in just 1:19. Micah Brubaker found David Fletcher for a seven-yard touchdown strike with 23 seconds to go, pushing the SU advantage to 21-0.
Third Quarter
- After Brock Keeler intercepted a pass on Albright's second play of the third quarter, Brubaker capped the ensuing drive with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 28-0 at the 11:35 mark of the third.
- Salisbury forced a three-and-out on the Lions' next drive, with Ben Malley blocking a punt and recovering the ball on the Albright 10. Fletcher found the endzone on a seven-yard run for his second touchdown of the game to make it 35-0 at the 8:24 mark.
- Dario Belizaire's 15-yard touchdown run made it three scores for SU in the third and a 42-0 lead with 15 seconds remaining in the third.
Fourth Quarter
- The Sea Gulls made it a lucky seven touchdowns for the game at the 9:08 mark of the fourth quarter as Anthony Behrmann powered his way to a three-yard touchdown run, giving the game its final 49-0 margin.
SALISBURY GAME NOTES
- The Sea Gulls recorded 509 yards of total offense, including 433 on the ground. SU averaged 7.5 yards on 58 rushing attempts.
- Micah Brubaker completed 2-of-7 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for another score, gaining 53 yards on eight carries.
- Andre Matthews went 2-for-3 through the air with 35 yards to go along with four carries for 32 yards and a rushing touchdown.
- Joey Bildstein paced the SU ground game, rushing 10 times for a team-high 94 yards.
- David Fletcher netted 105 yards of offense, gaining 68 yards on the ground and 37 yards through the air and scoring a touchdown each way.
- Dario Belizaire rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on three carries.
- Jaden Davis netted 34 yards on his only reception of the day, plus 13 yards rushing for 47 yards of total offense.
- Brock Keeler led the Salisbury defense with nine tackles and an interception.
- Jimmy Celentano recorded seven tackles, including three for a loss and a sack and a half.
- Ryan Muller notched one sack while Chase Lomax contributed half a sack.
- Kollin Samaha went a perfect 8-of-8 on extra points in his collegiate debut.
- The Salisbury defense recorded its first shutout since Nov. 23, 2019, when the Sea Gulls blanked Maritime (N.Y.) 83-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
ALBRIGHT GAME NOTES
- The Lions netted just 69 yards of total offense.
- Albright only completed four passes in 14 attempts.
- Isaiah Shockley rushed for 36 yards on 15 carries.
- Sam Viera paced the Albright defense with nine tackles.
UP NEXT
- Salisbury will play its first-ever matchup against in-state foe Stevenson on Saturday, Sept. 10.
- Kickoff from Owings Mills, Md., is set for 1 p.m.