Complete Game Notes as a PDF

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Following a brief one game homestand, the Southern Connecticut State University football team is back on the road on Friday night to take on Stonehill College in a Northeast-10 tilt. The opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m from W.B. Mason Field in Easton, Mass. Fans can catch all of the action live with Phil Soto-Ortiz on the call at www.sportingnewsct.com, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:30.

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.

A NEW FACE UNDER CENTER
Redshirt freshman Kevin Lynch made his first collegiate start at the quarterback position in the game against AIC. However, after going 5-of-8 for 69 yards in the opening half, he was forced to leave the game due to injury. Lynch's start marked the first time since 2004 that someone other than Steve Armstrong started at quarterback for the Owls.

DIGANGI MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT
Junior tight end Pete DiGangi has been a popular target in each of the past two outings. He notched his first career touchdown reception in the game against Bryant. Last time out, he tied for the team-high with three receptions (for 18 yards) in the game against AIC.

BERGESKI BACK IN THE MIX
After missing the season opener, senior wide receiver Chris Bergeski stepped in and finished with six catches for 98 yards in the game against Bryant.

COMEBACK KIDS
Trailing by a point heading into the fourth quarter against West Virginia Wesleyan, the Owls rallied for a late touchdown to record the win. Last year, the team was 0-3 when trailing after three quarters of play.

NO BIG GUNS...NO PROBLEM
The Owls rallied against West Virginia Wesleyan without the services of several key performers. All-Conference picks Chris Bergeski, Eric Holter and Martin Manson all missed the entire contest, while All-American quarterback Steve Armstrong was forced from the game due to illness.

LYNCH STEPS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Lynch saw his first action as an Owl in relief of Steve Armstrong against West Virginia Wesleyan and he made it count. He finished 8-of-14 for 94 yards and threw for one touchdown - the eventual game-winning strike to Johnny Lee.

FREEMAN BACK TO HIS OLD WAYS
Junior tailback Jarom Freeman picked up right where he left off in 2007 in this year's season opener. He finished with 242 yards on 35 carries, while also scoring two touchdowns in the contest. It was Freeman's fourth career outing with at least 200 rushing yards.

SANDBERG HAS A DAY
Junior defensive back Kyle Sandberg stepped up in a big way against West Virginia Wesleyan. He recorded three interceptions, six tackles and also recovered a fumble in the contest.

DUO HONORED BY NORTHEAST-10
For their play in the season opener, Kyle Sandberg and Jarom Freeman were both honored by the Northeast-10. Sandberg was named as the league's Defensive Player of the Week, while Freeman was tabbed to the weekly honor roll.

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 Sept. 19 for a road game at Stonehill. Game time is set for 7 p.m.