Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior quarterback Chris Roberts (New Britain, Conn.) threw for four touchdowns and sophomore tailback Rashaad Slowley (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) registered an even 100 yards on the ground, but the Southern Connecticut State University football team was defeated by Merrimack in a high-scoring affair on Senior Night, 52-42.

The Owls are now 5-4, 5-2 in Northeast-10 Conference play. Merrimack improved to 6-3, 5-2 in league action.

Southern Connecticut jumped out to an early 14-0 lead just more than five minutes into the game. The Owls took the opening kickoff and scored only 75 seconds into play thanks to a 55-yard drive that culminated on a 24-yard scamper from Jarom Freeman (Peekskill, N.Y.). Christopher Hazelton (Bristol, Conn.) added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

On their next possession, SCSU marched 74 yards in eight plays on a drive that took just 2:44. Roberts hit John Wiechman (Buxton, Maine) on a 13-yard scoring strike to cap that series.

Merrimack scored the next 10 points of the first quarter to close the gap to four points after 15 minutes.

The first touchdown of the second quarter went to the Owls. Roberts hit Nick Mandich (Miami, Fla.) on a three-yard pass to extend the lead to 21-10. The two clubs then traded touchdowns before halftime – the Owls score came on a 31-yard pass from Roberts to Willie Epps (Norwalk, Conn.).

Trailing 28-24 at halftime, Merrimack came out and scored the first 14 points of the third quarter to go in front 38-28.

SCSU countered when Roberts found Timothy Wells (Abington, Mass.) on a 6-yard touchdown reception to close within 38-34 after a missed PAT.

Merrimack answered with a defensive touchdown off of a fumble recovery to pad its lead to 45-34.

Roberts finished a seven play, 77-yard drive on the Owls' next possession with a one-yard run. He then hit Andre Privott (Middletown, Conn.) on a two-point try to cut the deficit to three at 45-42.

However, the Warriors added the final touchdown of the night to make it a 52-42 final.

Roberts finished 13-of-23 for 234 yards on the night. Privott led the receivers with six catches for 116 yards. Epps had four catches for 96 yards.

The Owls return to action on Saturday, November 7 when they travel to Saint Anselm for a 1 p.m. start.