Box Score BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – A record-setting day from quarterback
Robert Nittolo (Hillsborough, N.J.), a fourth straight 100-yard game from
Robert Thomas (Bronx, N.Y.) and a fourth quarter rally were not enough for a win on Saturday, as the Southern Connecticut State University football team was edged 49-46 at LIU-Post.
Trailing 49-24 in the fourth quarter, the Owls scored the final 22 points of the game. However, the Pioneers were able to run out the clock in the closing minutes to secure the win.
The Owls are now 3-6 and 3-5 in Northeast-10 play. LIU-Post is 6-3 and 5-3.
Nittolo set a new SCSU single-game record with 51 attempts, breaking the old mark of 50 set by Kevin Dickinson against Stony Brook in 2000. He was 25-of-51 for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas rushed 25 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
Devante Jenkins (Carson, Calif.) tallied seven catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns, all team-highs.
The two teams traded first quarter touchdowns. LIU-Post opened the scoring on its first possession before the Owls came back later in the quarter on a 2-yard run from Thomas.
Evan Nelson (Madison, Conn.) added the PAT to even the score,
The Pioneers scored three straight touchdowns in a span of 4:28 early in the second quarter to build a 28-7 lead. Nelson countered with a 30-yard field goal to close the gap to 28-10, but LIU-Post tacked on one more score before the break for a 35-10 lead.
The clubs alternated third quarter scores as well. Thomas found the end zone from 12 yards out to make it a 35-17 game. After an LIU-Post score, Nittolo hit Jenkins on a 19-yard pass to make it 42-24. The Pioneers added one more score before the period ended for a 49-24 lead.
LIU-Post would not score again, as the Owls put up all 22 points that went on the board in the fourth quarter. The second touchdown pass of the day from Nittolo to Jenkins, this one from a yard out, cut the gap to 49-31. Thomas' three-yard TD run later in the frame made it 49-38. The Owls weren't done yet, as Nittolo hit
Ryne Griesenauer (Naugatuck, Conn.) from 10 yards out. The ensuing two-point try to
Terrell Price (Bronx, N.Y.) was good to get SCSU within three at 49-46.
The Pioneers recovered the ensuing kickoff and compiled enough first downs to run out the clock for the win.
SCSU is back in action next Saturday for a home game against Merrimack.
