Box Score

Season Stats

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The tandem of senior Jarom Freeman (Peekskill, N.Y.) and sophomore Rashaad Slowley (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) combined for 235 yards to lead the Southern Connecticut State University football team to a 27-10 win over Pace in the Northeast-10 Conference opener for both squads. Slowley finished with 122 yards on 15 carries, while Freeman had 113 yards on 22 carries.

Southern Connecticut is now 1-2, 1-0 in Northeast-10 action. Pace is 0-2, 0-1.

The Owls took the opening kickoff and marched down the field on a nine play, 61-yard drive. The series culminated on a 21-yard field goal from Christopher Hazelton (Bristol, Conn.).

SCSU tacked on its first touchdown on its next possession. This drive was a seven play, 68-yard march that was capped by a 10-yard scamper from Freeman. Hazelton added the PAT for a 10-0 cushion, and the score stayed that way into the second quarter.

The Owls wasted little time in extending their lead, as quarterback Chris Roberts (New Britain, Conn.) connected with tight end Peter DiGangi (Cheshire, Conn.) on a 3-yard touchdown pass just 1:19 into the frame. Hazelton's PAT made it 17-0 and ended a seven play, 28-yard drive.

The hosts found the end zone one more time before intermission. This time, Roberts connected with Willie Epps (Norwalk, Conn.) on a 13-yard strike. Southern Connecticut led 24-0 at halftime.

Ali Mourtada hit a 37-yard field goal with 6:25 left in the third quarter to get Pace on the board. The Owls countered with a 32 yarder from Hazelton later in the frame.

Eric Ortega hauled in a 41-yard touchdown pass from Joe Romanick only 2:11 into the fourth quarter to close the scoring.

Roberts finished 12-of-22 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Epps led the receivers with six catches for 88 yards.

The Owls' defense was also strong on the night, posting eight sacks in the winning effort. Andrew Pratt (West Haven, Conn.) led the way with 12 tackles, while Jerome Pinckney (Ellenwood, Ga.) and Daniel Allen (Bridgeport, Conn.) each posted two sacks.

Southern Connecticut returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 19 when it travels to American International for a 1 p.m. start.