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A NEW SEASON BEGINS
The Southern Connecticut State University football team opens the 2014 season on Saturday with a road game at PSAC member Gannon. Game time is set for 12 p.m. in Erie, Pa. Fans who can't make it out to Western Pennsylvania can follow the action with live audio as Don Boyle will have the call at www.sportingnewsct.com.

ALL-TIME VS. GANNON
Southern Connecticut won the only previous meeting between the two schools by a score of 27-0 to open the 1999 season.

ALL-TIME VS. THE PSAC
SCSU has recorded an 18-34-2 all-time mark against current PSAC schools. The last win for the Owls against a PSAC school came in the 2007 season opener, a 52-30 victory over Kutztown.

IN SEASON OPENERS
The Owls are 35-30-1 all-time in season openers. The 2014 season is the 67th in program history.

THREE OWLS EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Three members of the Southern Connecticut State University football team – seniors John Moscatel, Carlif Taylor and Brian Wilcox – were recognized with preseason All-America honors from USA College Football and preseason All-Conference honors from the Beyond Sports Network.

IN THE NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON POLL
The Southern Connecticut State University football team has been selected No. 7 in the Northeast-10 Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the league's coaches.
1. American Int'l – 81 (9)
2. New Haven – 68
3. Stonehill – 67 (1)
4-tie. Assumption - 47
4-tie. Merrimack - 47
6. LIU Post - 44
7. So. Connecticut - 37
8. Bentley - 31
9. Saint Anselm - 19
10. Pace – 9
( ) – indicates first-place votes

THE 2014 SCHEDULE
The Owls have 11 games scheduled for the 2014 campaign. The year opens with a road game at Gannon on Sept. 6. In total, the opponents have been set for the first 10 dates of the year, with SCSU playing five home and five road games. In addition, the Northeast-10 Conference will once again host its championship weekend on Nov. 15.

TWO WITH OWLS' TIES EARN WALSH FELLOWSHIPS
Current Owls' defensive coordinator Jon Shelton and former Owls' All-American and nine-year NFL veteran Jacques Cesaire were among the individuals who earned Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship this summer. The annual program is administered by the NFL Management Council and NFL Player Engagement. Shelton was on the sidelines with the Philadelphia Eagles, of whom former Owls' captain Jeff Stoutland is now an assistant coach, while Cesaire joined the staff of his former club, the Chargers.

A FAMILIAR FACE TAKES THE REINS
Tom Godek '88, a former Owls' captain and the team's offensive coordinator for the last 13 seasons, was formally named as the sixth head football coach in the history of the Southern Connecticut State University program on April 4.
• The 2010 Division II/III Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, Godek took the Owls' offensive attack to new heights during his tenure as offensive coordinator. A total of 68 players on the offensive side of the ball have been recognized with All-Northeast-10 honors since Godek joined the staff in 2001.
• In addition, the Owls have shattered numerous offensive marks along the way. Since his arrival, the club accumulated new season highs for total yards, rushing yards, passing yards, touchdowns scored and points scored, along with a new program record for total offense in one game.
• As a student-athlete, Godek suited up for the Owls from 1984-87 and was a two-time All-New England selection. As a senior, he served as team captain and was an All-ECAC pick.
• Prior to joining the staff at his alma mater, Godek coached for seven seasons (1994-2000) at American International. While with the Yellow Jackets, Godek helped the club win four division titles en route to four consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Championship appearances. AIC claimed the conference title on two occasions. He also coached two NE-10 Offensive Linemen of the Year, along with 1999 Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up Kavin Gaillaird.
• He replaces Rich Cavanaugh, who retired at the conclusion of the 2013 season. The succession of Owls' coaches includes: Jess Dow (1948-65; 108-40-6), Harry Shay (1966-75; 47-44), George DeLeone (1976-79; 15-24), Kevin Gilbride (1980-84; 35-14-2) and Cavanaugh (1985-2013; 170-131-1)

THREE EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS
Three members of the Southern Connecticut State University football team – juniors John Moscatel, Carlif Taylor and Brian Wilcox – were recognized with All-America honors from USA College Football at the conclusion of the season. Wilcox was named to the First-Team, while Moscatel was a Third-Team pick. Taylor earned Honorable Mention laurels.

TWO OWLS IN NFL CAMPS, IGBINOSUN SIGNS WITH BILLS
Former Owls' standouts Ike Igbinosun and Jerome Cunningham were both in NFL training camps this summer with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants, respectively. Igbinosun was signed by the Bills to their practice squad at the conclusion of training camp. This will mark his second year in a row with the Bills after also serving as a part of their practice squad last year. During the 2012 and 2013 seasons, he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.

OWLS RANK AMONG FINAL NCAA STAT LEADERS
The Owls finished the 2013 season ranked among the NCAA statistics leaders in several categories, while two members of the team also ranked individually.
• On the individual front, John Moscatel closed the year ranked No. 8 for all-purpose yards per game, while Brian Wilcox was No. 15 in solo tackles
• As a team, the Owls closed the year in the top 25 in Division II in six categories. They were No. 14 for time of possession and No. 20 in pass sacks allowed, They also ranked No. 22 in fewest penalty yards per game, rushing defense and fumbles lost and were No. 24 in tackles for loss allowed.

WILCOX NAMED ALL-ECAC
Linebacker Brian Wilcox named All-ECAC for his play during the 2013 season. Previously an All-Northeast-10 Conference selection, Wilcox became just the third player in school history to amass more than 100 tackles in a season and the first since 1996. In total, the middle linebacker recorded 111 stops, which was third in the Northeast-10. 

FOUR EARN CONFERENCE HONORS
Four members of the Southern Connecticut State University football team – senior Dominick Diglio and  juniors John Moscatel, Carlif Taylor and Brian Wilcox - were awarded with year-end honors from the Northeast-10 Conference, as selected by the league's coaches. All four were selected to the Second-Team.

EPPS SELECTED TO NATIONAL BOWL GAME
For the second year in a row, Willie Epps was selected to play in the National Bowl Game. on December 8 in Miami. Epps capped his career in 2012 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.

AMONG THE KEY DEFENSIVE RETURNERS
Five of the top six tacklers from 2013 will be back for the Owls this fall. Brian Wilcox is the top returning tackler from a year ago. He made 111 stops a year ago. Carlif Taylor (54 tackles), Mike Dunkley (42 tackles), Jonathan Balcacer (38 tackles) and  A.J. Marsiglia (37 tackles) are also back.

ON DECK
The Owls are back in action on Sept. 13 for their home and Northeast-10 Conference opener against St. Anselm. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.