Boxscore

CALIFORNIA, Pa. -- Redshirt sophomore tailback Jarom Freeman (Peekskill, N.Y.) finished with 63 yards on 17 carries and set a new Southern Connecticut State University single-season rushing record with 1,906 yards on Saturday. However, the Owls were defeated by No. 6 nationally ranked California University (Pa.), 43-7, in a NCAA Division II second round playoff game.

Freeman finished two yards better than Brandon Toles' 2007 figure of 1,904 rushing yards.

The loss put an end to the 2007 season for the Owls, who closed with a 9-4 record. The nine wins matched a school single-season record in that department.

The Vulcans struck first with a 24-yard field goal from Tyler Lorenz with 9:38 left in the first quarter.

The Owls went ahead later in the frame when they put together an 11 play, 69-yard drive. Freeman went the final two yards for his 21st touchdown of the year. Following a PAT from Charles Gallagher (Hartford, Conn.), SCSU held a 7-3 lead.

The visitors carried the lead into the second quarter, but California went back in front midway through the frame. The Vulcans actually scored three touchdowns in a span of 7:30 to carry a 23-7 advantage into halftime.

California extended its lead to 26-7 when Lorenz hit a 43-yard field goal with 9:41 to go in the third quarter.

The Vulcans tacked on 17 more points in the second half to post the final margin of victory.

SCSU quarterback Steve Armstrong (Nutley, N.J.) finished 15-of-25 for 146 yards in the contest.