Boxscore

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It was a record breaking night for Southern Connecticut State University redshirt sophomore tailback Jarom Freeman (Peekskill, N.Y.), who rushed for a NCAA Division II single-game record 418 yards on 34 carries as the Owls doubled up Northeast-10 leading Bryant, 56-28, on Friday night. Freeman surpassed the old Division II mark of 410, set by Andrew Terry of Ferris State on October 2, 2004. In all, it was the fourth highest single-game rushing total in NCAA history.

In the process, Freeman also set new SCSU single-game records for rushing yards and all-purpose yards, breaking the old figures of 303 and 408, respectively. Freeman finished with 428 all-purpose yards. He also joined four other Owls with a program-record five touchdowns in one contest.

The Owls remained in the hunt for their third straight NCAA Division II playoff berth with their fifth win in a row. SCSU is now 7-3, 6-2 in Northeast-10 play. Bryant dropped to 7-2, 7-1 in the NE-10.

Freeman started the scoring with a 12-yard run that ended an eight-play, 76 yard drive just 2:43 into the game. On the next Owls possession, Freeman broke free from 48 yards to give the Owls a 14-0 lead.

Bryant closed the gap to 14-7 with a score prior to the end of the first quarter. However, Freeman erupted for a 70-yard touchdown run just 12 seconds into the second frame that restored the two touchdown lead.

The Bulldogs closed to within 21-14 with a score on their next drive. However, Freeman answered again, as he closed an eight-play, 66-yard drive with a five-yard run only 2:49 after Bryant had cut into the lead.

Bryant tied the game at 28-28 by scoring the first two touchdowns of the third quarter, those coming just 4:02 apart early in the frame. However, it would be the final Bryant score of the night, and the Owls scored the final four touchdowns of the contest.

SCSU opened things up through the air briefly in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Steve Armstrong (Nutley, N.J.) hit wide receiver Chris Bergeski (Mountainside, N.J.) with a 39-yard pass to give the Owls the lead for good at 25-28 with 6:51 left to play in the third quarter.

On the next Owls' possession, Armstrong hit Robert Felder (Jersey City, N.J.) on a 68-yard pass.

Armstrong connected for his third strike of the night with a 1-yard pass to Tom Cerny (Mahwah, N.J.).

Freeman closed the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown run with 4:40 left that allowed him to eclipse the 400-yard mark on the night. He then added am eight-yard run in the closing seconds that allowed him to set the record.

The NCAA record of 441 yards is held by Dante Brown of Marietta College, who did it against Baldwin-Wallace in 1996. Maurice Hicks of North Carolina A&T had 437 yards in 2001, while A.J. Pittorino had 436 yards in 1996.

Armstrong finished 13-of-18 for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

SCSU is back in action on Saturday, November 10 against St. Anselm in the regular season finale.