Complete Game Notes as a PDF

BACK FOR THE STRETCH RUN
After a bye week and a stretch of four road games in five outings to open 2008, the Southern Connecticut State University football team starts a two-game homestand on Friday night at 7 p.m. against Bentley. The Owls have won two straight coming into the outing. Fans can catch all of the action live with both live audio and video at www.sportingnewsct.com. The pre-game show with Don Boyle begins at 6:30 p.m.

OWLS IN FIRST REGIONAL RANKINGS OF 2008
SCSU has been selected at No. 10 in the first NCAA super regional rankings of the year. The rankings are used to eventually determine participants in the NCAA playoffs. Last year, the Owls were No. 12 in the first rankings before eventually playing their way into the post-season. The top six teams from each region qualify for the NCAA's.

HONORS APLENTY FOR WIECHMAN
Sophomore tailback John Wiechman was named as both the ECAC and Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Merrimack. Wiechman rushed for 212 yards on 43 carries in the contest and scored three touchdowns.

RUNNING WILD
John Wiechman became the first Owl in two years to record at least 40 carries in a game when he was handed the ball 43 times against Merrimack. Brandon Toles was the last to hit the 40 carry mark in a game, as he had 41 against Central Connecticut in 2006.

EFFECTIVE WHEN IN THE LINEUP
Senior wide receiver Chris Bergeski returned to the Owls' rotation last time out against Merrimack after missing two straight games and three of the first four. Bergeski had tallied 13 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.

ROBERTS ANSWERING THE BELL
Senior Chris Roberts has enjoyed a nearly seamless transition since taking over as the starter at quarterback. In his last two outings, both starts, Roberts is 33-of-56 (58.9%) for 492 yards and five touchdowns. For his efforts, Roberts was named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll in each of the last two weeks.

NEW BACK, SAME RESULT
The Owls continue to have success in the backfield, as evidenced by the recent play of John Wiechman. Wiechman has averaged 196 yards per game over the last two outings in a starting role.

LESS A TOUCHDOWN AWAY FROM PERFECTION
The Owls have lost their two games by a combined four points so far this season.

A VERY RARE OCCURRENCE
The last two outings marked just the second time in program history that the Owls have lost consecutive games by three points or less. The other occurrence took place back in 1969, when SCSU dropped back-to-back games to Bridgeport (17-16) and Glassboro State (19-17).

ROBERTS EMERGES IN AN EMERGENCY ROLE
After redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Lynch was forced from the AIC game due to injury, senior Chris Roberts stepped in admirably under center for the Owls. Seeing his first action at the position since the 2006 season, Roberts finished 4-of-8 for 47 yards and marched his team down on a touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.

MARSHALL STEPS UP IN A BIG WAY
Senior wide receiver Ty Marshall caught seven passes for a career-high 203 yards in the game against Bryant. Two of those catches went for touchdowns. It was the first time that a SCSU receiver had tallied at least 200 receiving yards since Jim Lukowiak amassed 220 against Bryant on Nov. 5, 2005.

IN THE NATIONAL PRESEASON POLLS
Thanks to another strong campaign in 2007, the Owls were ranked in three national preseason polls in 2008. Lindy's tabbed the Owls for No. 14 in their college football preview, while the Sporting News picked them No. 21. The club was also ranked No. 24 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) preseason poll.

EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICANS
Three Owls earned preseason All-America honors heading into the 2008 campaign. Quarterback Steve Armstrong, running back Jarom Freeman and wide receiver Chris Bergeski all were tabbed as preseason All-Americans by Consensus Draft Services. In addition, Freeman was also named a preseason All-American by the Sporting News.

IN THE NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON POLL
The Owls were selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2008 Northeast 10 title during the league's annual Media Day at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 5. It marked the second straight year that the Owls were named the preseason favorite.

SEASON STREAKS ON THE LINE
The Owls will look to maintain their standard of success as has been established in recent years. Coming into the 2008 season, SCSU has posted 14 straight seasons with records at or above .500 - the longest such streak in program history. In addition, the program has also recorded six straight campaigns with at least seven victories.

SLOW STARTS, STRONG FINISHES
In each of the past three seasons, the Owls have had to rally late in order to qualify for the post-season. SCSU started the 2005 season with a 1-2 mark before rolling off seven straight wins. In 2006, the Owls were 2-3 before winning the final five games of the regular season. Last year, the Owls were also 2-3 before winning the final six games of the regular season. 

ON DECK
The Owls return to action on Saturday, October 18 with a 1 p.m. home game against St. Anselm.