Boxscore
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior tailback
Brandon Toles (Fort Washington, Md.) rushed for 250 yards on 26 carries and scored five touchdowns to lead the Southern Connecticut State University football team to a 52-30 win over Kutztown University on Saturday afternoon at Jess Dow Field. Toles matched a program single-game record with his five scores.
After a scoreless opening quarter, SCSU opened the scoring early in the second frame.
Charles Gallagher (Hartford, Conn.) capped a 12-play, 62 yard drive with a 33-yard field goal.
Kutztown responded with a 10-play, 68 yard drive that also ended in a field goal, this one off the foot off Matt Dineen.
The Owls answered immediately just two plays after receiving the ball back. Quarterback
Steve Armstrong (Nutley, N.J.) connected with
Ty Marshall (Ellenwood, Ga.) on a 67-yard strike that put the hosts up 10-3 after the PAT.
Toles then added his first score of the day, an explosive 78-yard scamper that padded the Owls advantage to 17-3.
Kutztown closed the gap to 17-10 at the break when Cory McFadden scored from 17 yards out late in the quarter.
SCSU wasted no time in restoring its two score lead after halftime. The Owls took the opening kickoff and marched down the field on a six play, 59 yard drive that culminated in a 21-yard run from Toles.
The Golden Bears got back within 24-17 on an eight-yard run from Ty Dinnis with 10:04 left in the third quarter.
The Owls then put the game away by scoring the next three touchdowns of the contest. Toles' third touchdown of the day ended a nine play, 56-yard drive that increased the lead to 24-10.
Then, in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, Armstrong found Marshall once again, this time on a 33-yard touchdown reception.
After a Kutztown fumble on the ensuing possession, Toles found paydirt from 18 yards out to extend the lead to 45-17.
Kutztown rallied by scoring the next two touchdowns. Kyle Spotts hit Will Brown on a 31-yard pass with 8:21 remaining in the fourth. Elfren Quiles then caught a nine yard pass to close the gap to 45-30.
Toles concluded the scoring with a 30-yard run with 3:47 remaining.
Armstrong finished 20-of-31 with two touchdown tosses and one interception. Marshall led the Owls' receiving corps with six catches for 141 yards.
The Owls return to action on Friday, Sept. 7 for their Northeast-10 opener against Bentley. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Jess Dow Field.
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