NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Trailing 16-0 in the third quarter, the Bentley University football team scored 24 consecutive points and held off a late charge from Southern Connecticut State University in a 24-22 decision on Friday afternoon.
TEAM RECORDS: SCSU (1-1, 0-1 NE10) | Bentley (1-1, 1-0 NE10)
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Senior running back
Eli Parks (Bristol, Conn.) finished with 30 carries for 135 yards.
- Fellow classmate
Vochan Fowler (Bridgeport, Conn.) totaled 159 all-purpose yards (64 rushing, 83 return, 12 receiving), including a 33-yard rushing touchdown.
- Quarterback
Matt Sanzaro (Wethersfield, Conn.) completed 10-of-22 passes for 100 yards and rushed 11 times for 79 yards, along with one reception for four yards.
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Jhaaron Wallace (Hartford, Conn.) had nine tackles to pace the defense in that department.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Southern held a 16-3 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Bentley scored twice in 18 seconds – and three times in 10:02 – to take the lead they wouldn't relinquish. After a 9-yard touchdown pass just 30 seconds into the final frame cut the Owls' lead to 16-10, Bentley quickly went ahead with a pick six touchdown that resulted in its first lead of the game. Another score later in the quarter stretched the lead to 24-16.
- Keyed by a 75-yard kickoff return by Fowler, the Owls closed within two, 24-22, after Sanzaro's second rushing touchdown of the day with 2:06 left. Southern Connecticut was unable to tie the game on its two-point attempt, and the Falcons ran out the clock from there for the win.
- The Owls opened the scoring with a 12-play, 84-yard first quarter drive, capped by an eight-yard run from Sanzaro.
Jose Conde (West Haven, Conn.) added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
- Fowler stretched the lead to 14-0 with a 33-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Owls' special teams then forced a defensive holding call on a Bentley punt from its end zone, resulting in a safety and a 16-0 cushion.
- Bentley used a 23-yard field goal early in the third quarter to get on the board.
ON DECK:
SCSU will travel to New Haven for the Elm City Trophy game on Sept. 15.
