Boxscore

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University football team jumped out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter and went on to claim a 31-24 victory over Bentley College in the Northeast-10 opener for both clubs on Friday night.

SCSU improved to 2-0, 1-0. Bentley dropped to 0-1, 0-1.

The Owls capitalized on their first possession with a nine play, 68-yard drive. Junior fullback Craig Toulouse (Whitefield, Maine) capped the series with a one-yard plunge. Charles Gallagher (Hartford, Conn.) added the PAT for a 7-0 cushion.

SCSU extended its lead to 14-0 with 8:05 remaining in the opening quarter. Quarterback Steve Armstrong (Nutley, N.J.) connected with wide receiver Ty Marshall (Ellenwood, Ga.) on a 53-yard strike for a two score lead.

The Owls tacked on one more score before the end of the quarter. SCSU went 43 yards in five plays, culminating on an 18-yard run from Jarom Freeman (Peekskill, N.Y.).

Bentley closed the gap to 21-10 in the second quarter. John White made it 21-7 after a one-yard run. Then, Tyler McNamara hit a 32-yard field goal with just 39 seconds left in the quarter.

However, Brandon Toles (Fort Washington, Md.) returned the ensuing kickoff 42 yards to the Bentley 45. On the first play from scrimmage, Armstrong and Marshall hooked up again on a touchdown strike that padded the Owls lead to 28-10 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, SCSU extended its lead to 31-10 on a 19-yard field goal from Gallagher just seven seconds into the final frame.

The Falcons answered with an eight play, 60-yard drive that ended in a 27-yard pass from John White to Mike Griggs.

Later in the quarter, that duo hooked up again on a 24-yard pass that closed the gap to 31-24.

SCSU took the ball and marched back down to the Bentley 9. However, the Owls turned the ball over on downs, giving the Falcons one final chance.

The visitors drove to the Southern 46, but Ron Turner (Hamden, Conn.) picked off a White pass with eight seconds remaining to seal the win.

Toles finished with 161 yards on 21 carries, his 13th straight 100-yard contest. Marshall hauled in five catches for a career-high 153 yards and two scores.

Armstrong finished 15-of-29 for 259 yards. He threw two touchdowns and was intercepted twice.

The Owls return to action on Saturday, Sept. 15 for a 5 p.m. start at Central Connecticut State.