Complete Game Notes as a PDF

THE WEEK AHEAD
It's back to the road again for the Southern Connecticut State University football team this week. The Owls head north to Merrimack for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday at Martone-Mejail Field. Fans who can't make it to the game can follow the Owls with live audio at http://www.sportingnewsct.com. There will also be live Twitter updates through http://www.southernctowls.com.

BURSTING ONTO THE SCENE
After totaling just three catches in his collegiate career previously, junior Vito Fornarelli had three catches for exactly 100 yards last time out against St. Augustine's. Both figures were career highs.

TWO SENIORS POST NEW CAREER-BESTS
Tight end Jerome Cunningham hauled in a single-game best five passes against St. Augustine's. His previous high was four catches, set on three separate occasions. Linebacker Jack Cooper notched 10 tackles, besting his old high of eight set last year against Bentley.

HOLT GETS TOUCHDOWN NO. 1
Senior wide receiver Jayson Holt hauled in his first touchdown reception as an Owl, a 6-yard catch, in the game on Saturday.

PUNTER PINS THEM DEEP
Redshirt freshman Bobby Lippincott had a strong day punting the football against St. Augustine's. He averaged 41.4 yards per boot on five attempts, three of which were inside the Falcons 20 yard line.

MAGEE KEEPS IT GOING
Junior Vaughn Magee registered his second straight 100 yard outing last time out against St. Augustine's. He finished with 104 yards on 27 carries.

LAST TIME OUT
Southern Connecticut scored the first 14 points of the game, but visiting Saint Augustine's countered with the final 30 points of the contest to claim a 30-14 win. Junior running back Vaughn Magee finished with 104 yards on 27 carries and scored a touchdown. Wide receiver Vito Fornarelli registered three catches for an even 100 yards. Quarterback Jacob Jablonski completed 20-of-34 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. The Falcons scored 16 points in the second quarter and added two more four quarter touchdowns to create the final margin of victory. Jack Cooper and Nathan Tyler each had 10 tackles to pace the defense.

THE LAST MEETING WITH MERRIMACK
The last meeting between SCSU and Merrimack was just four games ago. With a potential NCAA playoff spot on the line, senior running back Rashaad Slowley rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns, but Merrimack scored the final 14 points of the game to post a 28-27 win over the Owls on Nov. 12, 2011 at Jess Dow Field. SCSU jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter and held a 24-14 cushion at the break, but was unable to hold on in the second half.

THE LAST MEETING IN NORTH ANDOVER
The last meeting at Merrimack between these clubs was one for the Owls' record books. Back on November 6, 2010, quarterback Kevin Lynch set a new school record with 443 passing yards and tied a school mark with six touchdown passes. Wide receiver Willie Epps set a new single-game record with 254 receiving yards – and together, the duo hooked up on a 97-yard touchdown strike that also established a new school record in a 49-32 Owls' win.

THE HARMONY CLASSIC
Southern Connecticut State University, in conjunction with the NAACP of Connecticut, hosted the 'Harmony Classic' at the football contest between the Owls and St. Augustine's University. The event embraced the NCAA Division II Community Engagement mission to develop students and communities by actively engaging in shared experiences and the NAACP's mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.The day's events featured an array of activities, including a Healthfair, Tailgate competition, NAACP Voter Registration and a Greek Fraternity and Sorority Step and Strolling Exhibition.

DEFENSIVE LINE CAUSES PRESSURE
The Owls' defensive line had three sacks against Stonehill, including a pair by sophomore A.J. Marsiglia.

ON THE AIR
Fans can follow all Southern Connecticut football games on the web at http://www.sportingnewsct.com. Don Boyle will provide live audio coverage of all road games, while all home contests will feature live video at no charge for fans.

STEPPING INTO THE FIRE
Redshirt freshman Bobby Lippincott made his first collegiate start against Stonehill following an injury to Jacob Jablonski in the opener. Lippincott completed 15-of-33 passes for 163 yards in the contest.

BROCKENBERRY NETS FIRST CAREER PICK
Junior Aaron Brockenberry had his first career interception last time out against Stonehill. He also leads the team with 26 tackles through the first three games of the year.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE
The Stonehill result marked the first time that SCSU had been shut out in 128 games, the longest such streak in school history. You have to go back to September of 2000, a 20-0 loss to Stony Brook, for the last time that the Owls were blanked.

STAGGARS TAKES ON INCREASED ROLE
Wide receiver Carlton Staggars is second on the Owls in receptions (nine) and tops in receiving yards (127) through the first three games of the year.

CUNNINGHAM A STRONG TARGET
Senior tight end Jerome Cunningham leads the Owls with 11 receptions this season.

JABLONSKI TAKES THE REINS UNDER CENTER
Junior quarterback Jacob Jablonski made his first collegiate start in the opener at IUP. He completed 9-of-12 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown and also rushed five times for 20 yards in the contest.

LIPPINCOTT SHOWS HIS VERSATILITY
Redshirt freshman Bobby Lippincott made his collegiate debut against IUP and fared well in two roles. As a quarterback, he was 5-of-10 for 83 yards. In addition, he punted seven times for an average of 35.7 yards per kick.

STAGGARS LIKES THE END ZONE
After hauling in a 6-yard touchdown reception in the opener at IUP, Carlton Staggars could say that his first two collegiate catches both went for scores. He also had a 92-yard reception - the longest touchdown in program history at the time - back in 2010 against Pace. Staggars added two more catches against the Crimson Hawks and totaled a team-high 46 receiving yards on the day.

DEFENSIVE BACKS POST STRONG STATS IN OPENER
Junior Aaron Brockenberry had a team-high 13 tackles against IUP, while Dion O'Joe posted 11 tackles and forced a fumble.

ALL-TIME AGAINST MERRIMACK
Southern Connecticut leads the all-time series with Merrimack by an 8-6 margin.

IN SEASON OPENERS
The Owls are now 35-29-1 all-time in season openers. The 2012 season was the 65th in program history.

CAVANAUGH RANKS AMONG NCAA'S BEST
Head coach Rich Cavanaugh enters the 2012 season ranked No. 5 among all Division II active football coaches with 164 victories.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB
The Owls have welcomed 40 newcomers to the squad since the end of last season.

IN THE NE-10 PRESEASON POLL
SCSU was selected second in the Northeast-10 Conference preseason poll, as voted by the league's coaches.

TWO NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Seniors William Chaffin and Willie Epps were both named preseason All-Americans by USA Football News and the CDFL/D2 vs. NAIA Senior Bowl. 

IN THE PRESEASON AFCA POLL
The Owls recieved six votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Coaches Poll. 

ALUMS CARRYING THE CHAMPIONSHIP FLAG
Two former SCSU football student-athletes captured championships as coaches this past winter. Kevin Gilbride, offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, won his second Super Bowl title in the past four years as the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. In addition, Jeff Stoutland, offensive line coach for the University of Alabama, helped the Crimson Tide win the 2012 BCS National Championship.

AMONG THE KEY DEFENSIVE RETURNERS
Linebacker Jack Cooper is the top returning tackler from a year ago. He made 48 stops a year ago. Classmate Steven Teague posted 40 tackles last season and tied for the team-high with three interceptions. Teague also broke up five passes.

OWLS CLINCH 11TH STRAIGHT WINNING SEASON
Southern Connecticut clinched its 11th straight winning season with a victory over AIC on Oct. 22. The Owls have now posted 18 consecutive seasons with a final record at or above the .500 mark. In all, head coach Rich Cavanaugh has posted 19 winning seasons with the Owls.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN THE BOOKS
The Owls enjoyed a 2011 campaign in which they posted their 11th consecutive winning season and finished with a 7-3 overall mark.

FOUR OWLS NAMED ALL-ECAC
The Owls had four student-athletes - Michael Escobar, Christopher Hazelton, Ike Igbinosun and Rashaad Slowley -  recognized with year-end honors from the Eastern College Athletic Conference as Division II Football All-Stars.

TWO NAMED ALL-REGION
Defensive lineman Ike Igbinosun and running back Rashaad Slowley were named to both the All-Region and All-New England teams for their play during the 2011 season.

EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICANS
Sam-uel Johnson, Andre Privott and Rashaad Slowley were named All-Americans for their play in 2011. The trio was all recognized by www.d2proday.com. In addition, Slowley was also selected an All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette, the Beyond College Sports Network and www.d2football.com.

OWLS NAMED 2011 ECAC TEAM OF THE YEAR
Southern Connecticut was selected as the 2011 ECAC Team of the Year for their play during the season.

NINE NAMED ALL-CONFERENCE
Nine members of the Southern Connecticut State University football team - William Chaffin, Willie Epps, Michael Escobar, Christopher Hazelton, Ike Igbinosun, Sam-uel Johnson, Andre Privott , Chevar Rankins and Rashaad Slowley - were tabbed for the All-Northeast-10 Conference team at the conclusion of the season. Chaffin and Epps both return this fall.

EPPS MOVING UP THE CAREER CHARTS
Wide receiver Willie Epps ranks among the all-time leaders at SCSU in several categories. He is currently fourth all-time in both receiving yards (2,419) and touchdown receptions (22) and is sixth in receptions (119). Last time out against St. Augustine's he moved past Andre Privott in career receiving yards and tied Jim Lukowiak for sixth in receptions.

HOLT STEPS UP
Wide receiver Jayson Holt enjoyed a breakout year in 2011. He finished third on the club with 25 receptions for 197 receiving yards for the Owls.

SLOWLEY A HARLON HILL AWARD FINALIST
Rashaad Slowley was named a finalist for the 2011 Harlon Hill Award, given annually to the top Division II football player in the nation.

ROAD TRIP
In 2011 Southern Connecticut concluded the road portion of its schedule with a 5-1 mark, including five straight wins to close out the slate.

ON DECK 
Southern Connecticut is back in action on Sept. 29 for a home game against St. Anselm. Game time is set for 1 p.m.