Complete Game Notes as a PDF

THE REGULAR SEASON CONCLUDES
The final game of the regular season takes place on Saturday as the Southern Connecticut State University football team travels to AIC a Northeast-10 Conference matchup. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in Springfield, Mass. Fans who can't make it to the game can follow the Owls with live audio at www.sportingnewsct.com. There will also be live stats available through the Yellow Jackets' athletic website and live Twitter updates at https://twitter.com/SCSU_Owls.

LOOKING BACK AT THE LAST AIC GAME
The American International College football team scored the final 34 points of the contest to turn a second quarter deficit into a 34-7 win over Southern Connecticut State University on Oct. 13, 2012.
• The game was tied at 7-7 at halftime, but the Yellow Jackets scored 27 second half points to earn the win.
• Jacob Jablonski completed 21-of-38 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown. Willie Epps had eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Jayson Holt  had a single-game career-high six catches, as did Robert Moores with three receptions for 47 yards. Jack Mallis rushed 17 times for 69 yards and had two catches for 29 yards.

ALL-TIME AGAINST AIC
Southern Connecticut leads the all-time series against AIC by a 31-22-3 margin. The Owls have faced AIC more than any other opponent in program history. Central Connecticut (53 meetings) is the only other team that SCSU has faced more than 50 times.

OWLS LOOKING FOR REPEAT EFFORT IN SPRINGFIELD
The last meeting between SCSU and AIC in Springfield was an instant classic back on Oct. 22, 2011. Owls' quarterback Kevin Lynch hit junior wide receiver Willie Epps for their third touchdown connection of the day with just three seconds left, as Southern Connecticut completed a furious fourth quarter rally to defeat American International, 48-47.
• The Owls were trailing 47-35 with 4:59 remaining and had the ball back at their own 14 after forcing a fumble with the Yellow Jackets on the verge of going up by three scores.
• From there, SCSU put together a 13-play, 86-yard drive over the next 3:28, culminated by a 5-yard strike from Lynch to Epps. However, the PAT was no good.
• AIC recovered the ensuing onside kick and drove to the SCSU 30, but the Owls stopped the Yellow Jackets by inches on a 4th and 2 to get one more crack at it with 1:07 remaining. Southern Connecticut then marched 70 yards in seven plays with Lynch hitting Epps on a low strike with 3 seconds left to even the score at 47-47. Christopher Hazelton then added the PAT to provide the margin of victory.

LOOKING TO THE NE-10 CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
Regardless of the result on Saturday, the Owls will still have one more game during the Northeast-10 Championship weekend on Nov. 16. Their opponent and the location of the game will be determined by this weekend's results around the league.

WILLIAMS SACKS THE FALCONS
Junior Zachary Williams posted season-highs of five tackles and two sacks last time out against Bentley.

SILVERMAN EARNS ECAC WEEKLY HONORS
Sophomore placekicker Devin Silverman was named the ECAC Division II Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against Bentley. He kicked a pair of field goals and made his only extra point of the day.

ROOKIES CONNECT FOR FIRST COLLEGIATE SCORE
Quarterback Brandon Basil tossed his first collegiate touchdown pass in the game against Bentley to a fellow classmate, Travis Cusson, for his first collegiate touchdown reception.

NEW FACE UNDER CENTER FOR THE OWLS
True freshman quarterback Brandon Basil made his first start for the Owls in the NE-10 game against Assumption, where he finished 10-of-31 for 62 yards. Against New Haven, Basil completed 14-of-26 passes for 150 yards. Basil completed 15-of-30 passes for 172 yards last time out against Bentley.

CLOSING IN ON THE CENTURY MARK
John Moscatel needs just one yard to hit the 1,000 yard plateau on the ground this season.

MOSCATEL CONTINUES TO PROSPER
Junior John Moscatel totaled career-highs of 355 all-purpose yards and 175 rushing yards in the contest against New Haven. He recorded 171 return yards and also caught two passes for nine yards. As a result of his effort, he was named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll.

FORNARELLI SHOWS HIS VERSATILITY
Senior Vito Fornarelli has jumped into the team lead with 41 catches on the year and with 574 receiving yards. Fornarelli has also rushed 20 times for 173 yards and a touchdown. He has also seen time as the Owls' quarterback in certain packages this season.

OWLS AMONG THE NCAA LEADERS
The Owls currently rank in the top 25 in Division II in three categories. They are No. 14 for time of possession (32:47) and No. 17 in rushing defense (105.8).
• John Moscatel also holds two NCAA rankings. He is currently No. 5 for all-purpose yards per game (209.11) and No. 24 in rushing yards (999).
• Brian Wilcox is now No. 22 in solo tackles (5.9).

OWLS AMONG THE NE-10 LEADERS
Southern Connecticut has several individuals who rank among the Northeast-10 leaders in a variety of categories:
• John Moscatel ranks first in the league in rushing yards/game (111.0) and is second with nine rushing touchdowns.
• Brian Wilcox ranks third in the league with an average of 9.6 tackles per contest and in total tackles with 86.

OWLS HOLD DOW'S NFF ON-CAMPUS SALUTE
Southern Connecticut State University, in conjunction with the National Football Foundation, hosted its on-campus salute for Jess Dow's induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Oct. 25 game against New Haven.

DEFENSE BEARS DOWN
The Owls defense had a strong showing allowing just 190 yards of total offense in the game against Assumption. SCSU also forced two interceptions.

AN IMPRESSIVE DRIVE
The Owls took the opening kickoff against Assumption and assembled their longest drive this season, a 19-play, 75-yard drive. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the Assumption 1, Vaughn Magee broke through the right side of the line for a touchdown.

TWO TABBED FOR WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Senior Vito Fornarelli and junior John Moscatel were both named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll for their play in the game against Stonehill.

SETTING NEW RECORDS
Senior Vito Fornarelli and junior John Moscatel both set new single-game bests against Stonehill. Fornarelli had a career-high 134 receiving yards in the contest, while Moscatel posted a career-best 226 all-purpose yards in the game.

ANOTHER CAREER NIGHT FOR MOSCATEL
Running back John Moscatel contributed 201 all-purpose yards, including a career-high 159 rushing yards and four touchdowns, in the Owls' win over Pace. The last Owl to register four touchdowns in a single-game was Vaughn Magee, who had a quartet in the 2012 contest against Saint Anselm.

MOSCATEL NAMED NE-10 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
John Moscatel was named the Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his effort in the win over Pace.

BALCACER MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT
Junior Jonathan Balcacer returned to the Owls' lineup against Pace and posted a team-high 10 tackles. He also factored in on the Owls' punt return unit and had one return for eight yards.

MILLINGTON SCORES FIRST TD AS AN OWL
De'Vaghn Millington posted his first touchdown as an Owl with a two-yard run in the win over Pace.

PICK YOUR POISON
The receiving tandem of Gary Williams (six catches, 92 yards, two touchdowns) and Vito Fornarelli (four catches, 91 yards) combined for 183 yards through the air in the win over Pace.

BIG GAMES FOR TAYLOR AS OF LATE
All four tackles from Carlif Taylor were for loss in the win over Pace, including two sacks, which were a career-high. He followed that up with a nine tackle effort in the game against Stonehill.

DUO HITS THE CENTURY MARK
For the first time in two years, the Owls had two players reach the 100-yard mark in the same game when John Moscatel (139 yards) and Dequane June (120) did so against Saint Anselm on Sept. 27. The last pair to reach that total together were Rashaad Slowley (113 yards) and Vaughn Magee (110 yards) in a win over Pace on Sept. 23, 2011.
  
PICK 'EM
Mike Dunkley recorded two interceptions in the win against Saint Anselm to raise his season total to three. The last Owl to notch two picks in a game was Steven Teague in the win at West Liberty on Sept. 10, 2011.

MAINTAINING POSSESSION
Southern Connecticut held the time of possession edge over its opponents in each of the first four games this season and has held an advantage in seven of the first eight games this year.

WILCOX, MOSCATEL EARN NE-10 WEEKLY HONORS
Juniors John Moscatel and Brian Wilcox were both named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll for their play in the win over St. Anselm. It was the second straight week that Wilcox earned the honor.

STAGGARS HAS A STRONG NIGHT
Senior Carlton Staggars recorded three catches for a season-high 66 yards in the win against Saint Anselm.

PILING UP THE YARDAGE
SCSU amassed more than 500 yards of total offense in the wins over Merrimack and St. Anselm and added 479 yards in the win over Pace.

ARAUJO FINDS THE STAT SHEET
Redshirt freshman fullback Delmont Araujo had his first catch as an Owl in the win over Saint Anselm.

WIDE RECEIVERS GETTING INVOLVED ALL WAYS
Freshman Travis Cusson posted career-highs for catches (three) and receiving yards (37) in the win over Saint Anselm, while junior Vito Fornarelli accumulated 46 receiving yards along with a career-high 29 rushing yards.

FILLING IN WHERE NEEDED
Freshman Brandon Basil was forced into punting duty at Saint Anselm when starter Jeff Groth left the game with an injury. Basil fared admirably, as he registered a 38-yard average on his two punts.

A FEW MORE QUICK HITS
Junior running back John Moscatel rushed for a then-career-high 139 yards in the win over Saint Anselm, while sophomore Dequane June added a career-high 120 yards on the ground. June's two touchdowns were a career-best, while Moscatel matched a career-high with two scores.

JABLONSKI HAS AN EFFICIENT EVENING
Quarterback Jacob Jablonski completed 18-of-22 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Saint Anselm. His 81.8% completion percentage was a single-game high for the season.

A PRETTY GOOD NIGHT AT THE OFFICE
Several Southern Connecticut players set new career-highs in the win over Merrimack.
• Gary Williams registered a career-high 163 receiving yards along with a career-long 77-yard touchdown reception.
• Vito Fornarelli snared seven receptions, which was a new single-game best, en route to an 87-yard effort that included a touchdown.
• John Moscatel posted new single-game career-highs in rushing yards (116) and all-purpose yards (225).
• Brian Wilcox notched a single-game high of 14 tackles in the win over the Warriors.

PAIR NAMED TO NE-10 WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Juniors Gary Williams and Brian Wilcox were both named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll for their play in the win over Merrimack.

MOSCATEL MASTERS MERRIMACK
John Moscatel has enjoyed his two best collegiate performances in the games against Merrimack in each of the last two years. In 2012, he totaled 192 all-purpose yards in the Owls' contest with the Warriors, which set a career-high. This season, he set new career-highs in single-game rushing yards (116) and single-game all-purpose yards (225) in the contest versus Merrimack.

WILLIAMS MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT
Junior Gary Williams is off to a strong start through the first six games of the 2013 season. He finished with four catches for 88 yards in the opener against IUP and added six catches for 72 yards against LIU-Post. Both totals were team-highs in the game against the Pioneers. Against Merrimack, he had six catches for a career-high 163 yards and a touchdown. Through nine games, he is second on the Owls in receiving yards (550) and with 35 catches.

WILCOX LEADS THE DEFENSIVE CHARGE
Junior linebacker Brian Wilcox leads the Owls with 86 tackles through the first eight games of the year.

MOSCATEL MAKES A QUICK IMPACT
Junior running back/wide receiver John Moscatel has filled a variety of roles for the Owls this year. He registered 152 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns in the opener against Indiana, Pa. He finished with a career-high 86 yards rushing on 21 carries along with two scores. He also had 48 yards on kickoff returns and 18 yards receiving to total 152 all-purpose yards for the contest. For his efforts, Moscatel was named to the Northeast-10 weekly honor roll. Moscatel registered 150 all-purpose yards and one touchdown in the game against LIU-Post. He followed that up with 225 all-purpose yards (116 rushing, 102 return, 7 receiving) in the win over Merrimack.

CROSSON CATCHING ON
After totaling three interceptions a year ago, Malcolm Crosson tallied his first pick of 2013 in the game against LIU-Post.

DEFENSE SPREADS THE WEALTH
Jonathan Balcacer, Mike Dunkley and Carlif Taylor each registered seven tackles against IUP.

KNOCK IT DOWN
Defensive back Mustaqiim Plair totaled four pass breakups against IUP in addition to his four tackles on the day.

WIDEOUTS PROVE PRODUCTIVE
Five different Owls had receptions against IUP. Vito Fornarelli posted a career-high five catches and added a touchdown in an 80-yard effort. Gary Williams posted new single-game highs in receptions (four) and receiving yards (88). Carlton Staggars, John Moscatel and true freshman Travis Cusson each contributed two catches on the day.

IN SEASON OPENERS
The Owls are now 35-30-1 all-time in season openers. The 2013 season was the 66th in program history.

CAVANAUGH RANKS AMONG NCAA'S BEST
Head coach Rich Cavanaugh enters the 2013 season ranked tied for No. 4 among all Division II active football coaches with 167 victories.

AMONG THE KEY OFFENSIVE RETURNERS
Six starters are back on the offensive side of the ball for the Owls. Quarterback Jacob Jablonski enters his second season as the team's starter. He threw for 1,675 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago. Vaughn Magee rushed for 1,141 yards en route to All-Conference and All-Region laurels in 2012. The wideouts are led by Carlton Staggars, who had 20 catches for 266 yards and two touchdowns a year ago. John Weiss shifts from fullback to tight end, while seniors Dominick Diglio and Kyle Empey lead the offensive line.

AMONG THE KEY DEFENSIVE RETURNERS
The Owls have a host of players who saw action as starters at one time or another in previous years, bolstered by a strong front four. Mwamba Williams was an All-Conference pick a year ago, while Zachary Williams, A.J. Marsiglia and Carlif Taylor have also been starters in their careers. Mike Dunkley leads all returners with 58 tackles from a year ago, while Dunkley and Malcolm Crosson each posted a team-high three interceptions last year.

DOW NAMED TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Jesse L. "Jess" Dow, the founder of the intercollegiate athletic program at Southern Connecticut State University and its first head football coach, was inducted posthumously into the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2013 on August 28 in Atlanta.
• A native of Tona, Texas, Dow joined the Southern faculty in 1946 when there were just 25 men enrolled. He established the intercollegiate football program, for which he is best known, in 1948 and went on to become one of the nation's outstanding football coaches.
• In 18 years as the Owls' head football coach, from 1948-65, Dow enjoyed 16 winning seasons, including Southern's only unbeaten, untied campaign in 1956.  His teams lost only once in a season seven different times (1949, 50, 51, 53, 55, 58, 59) and his 1959 team participated in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Playoff Bowl semifinal.
• After winning the Eastern Football Conference title and being named "Coach of the Year" in the EFC in 1965, the league's inaugural season, Dow retired as football coach to devote full-time duties as director of athletics, a position he held until retiring Jan. 31, 1975. He completed his career as the winningest college division coach in New England with a 108-40-6 won-lost-tied record for a winning percentage of .730.
• Dow was twice selected as Coach of the Year, in 1950 and 1953, by the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance.  The Alliance also honored him with the coveted Gold Key following his retirement from coaching.
• He also received one of the nation's highest honors athletically when he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame for his contributions to college athletics.
• Southern's outdoor athletic facility, Jess Dow Field, was dedicated in his honor in 1988, and he was among the first class inducted into the Southern Alumni Sports Hall of Fame.
• Dow, a professor emeritus of Health and Physical Education, didn't limit his coaching to football. He also guided Southern teams in basketball, baseball, track and golf in his 28-year career. He had an outstanding record as Southern's golf coach with a 49-23 won-lost record over his final six seasons.
• Dow attended West Texas State University, where he was named a Little All-America fullback in 1937. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League for three seasons following his graduation.
• During World War II, Dow served in the U.S. Navy for three and a half years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

IN THE NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON POLL
Southern Connecticut was selected sixth in the Northeast-10 preseason poll, as voted on by the league's coaches.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB
The Owls have welcomed 28 newcomers to the team since the conclusion of last year.

KEEPING TRACK OF THE WILLIAMS'
Southern Connecticut has five players on its 2013 roster with the last name Williams - Alexander (Freshman, Defensive End), Gary (Junior, Wide Receiver), Mwamba (Senior, Defensive End), Tyler (Redshirt Freshman, Offensive Lineman) and Zachary (Junior, Defensive End).

MALLIS EARNS NE-10 ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS
Junior running back Jack Mallis was named to the Northeast-10 Conference Football All-Academic Team for his efforts on the playing field and in the classroom in 2012. Mallis was a versatile performer for the Owls last fall who contributed both at running back and on special teams.

STOUTLAND JOINS ALUMS IN NFL COACHING RANKS
Former Southern Connecticut State University football student-athlete and assistant coach Jeff Stoutland was named the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles this past February. Stoutland joined the Eagles after serving in the same role at the University of Alabama for two years, where he helped the Crimson Tide win consecutive BCS National Championship games. Stoutland joins former Owl student-athlete and coach Kevin Gilbride, the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, as SCSU alums currently on NFL coaching staffs.

TEN EARN CONFERENCE HONORS
Ten members of the Southern Connecticut State University football team – seniors Jack Cooper and Willie Epps, juniors Vaughn Magee and Mwamba Williams and freshmen Jake Ceresna, Malcolm Crosson, Jamie Holbrook, Dequane June, John Parsons and Kameron Tedder - were awarded with year-end honors from the Northeast-10 Conference, as selected by the league's coaches. Cooper was a First-Team All-Conference honoree, while Epps, Magee and Williams were all tabbed for the Second-Team. Ceresna, Crosson, Holbrook, June, Parsons and Tedder were named to the league's All-Rookie Team.

MAGEE NAMED ALL-REGION
Vaughn Magee was awarded with All-Region honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette at the conclusion of the year. Magee, a Third-Team selection, led the Northeast-10 Conference in rushing with 1,141 total yards and eight touchdowns and his 126.8 yards/game average was also tops in the league. Magee also totaled 12 receptions for 99 yards.

MAGEE RANKS AMONG NCAA RUSHING LEADERS
Vaughn Magee finished the year ranked No. 11 in all of Division II in yards/game.  He averaged 126.8 yards per game.

EPPS SELECTED TO NATIONAL BOWL GAME
Willie Epps was selected to play in the National Bowl Game on December 9 in Allentown, Pa. Epps capped his career by earning All-Conference accolades for the third consecutive year after leading the Owls' wide receivers in catches (39), receiving yards (665) and touchdowns (four). He finished his career ranked second all-time at Southern Connecticut in receiving yards (2,868), third in touchdown receptions (26) and fourth in receptions (147). Epps was also named a preseason All-American as well as an All-ECAC pick during his career with the Owls.

CUNNINGHAM TAKES PART IN NFL SUPER REGIONAL COMBINE
Jerome Cunningham was selected to participate in a NFL Super Regional combine at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas from April 6-8. Cunningham was a four-year member of the squad and three-year starter at tight end for the Owls. He recorded 61 catches for 690 yards and seven touchdowns in his career. Cunningham was also previously recognized as a selection to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll for his work in the classroom.

FARING WELL IN THE CLASSROOM
The Owls had 33 selections to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll during the course of the 2012-13 academic year. Student-athletes must achieve a 3.0 semester grade point average or higher to earn the honor.

MAGEE BREAKS THE 1,000 YARD MARK
With 83 yards on the ground against Bentley on Nov. 3,  running back Vaughn Magee surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for the season. He finished with 1,141 yards on the year.

MAGEE NETS TRIO OF HONORS
For his cumulative efforts against St. Anselm, Vaughn Magee was named the Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week, as an Offensive Player of the Week by the Beyond College Sports Network and as the weekly Division II/III Gold Helmet Award winner by the New England Football Writers' Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. He became the first Owl to win the latter award since Jarom Freeman in 2007.

MAGEE PUTS HIS NAME IN THE RECORD BOOK
Vaughn Magee was already having a good day on the ground through three quarters of the win against St. Anselm last September. His accomplishments in the final 15 minutes, though, made the day a truly memorable one. Magee totaled 187 yards in the fourth quarter alone to set a new Division II record for yards in a quarter. The old mark of 184 yards in a quarter was set by Stefan Logan of South Dakota in a game against Truman on Sept. 3, 2005.

OWLS DOMINATE THE NCAA RUSHING RECORDS
Thanks to Vaughn Magee's performance against St. Anselm on Sept. 28, 2012, Southern Connecticut now has the NCAA Division II individual single-game, single-half and single-quarter records. Previously, Jarom Freeman rushed for 246 yards in the first half of a Nov. 2, 2007 game against Bryant in which he finished with 418 yards to set new Division II marks in both of those categories.

ON DECK 
The Owls will play an opponent to be determined in next weekend's Northeast-10 Championship weekend.