NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Southern Connecticut State University football team defeated American International, 23-7, in a Northeast 10 Conference matchup on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at Jess Dow Field. With the win, the Owls improve 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the NE10, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 3-2 overall and 1-2 overall.
Kwadir Delgado-Mcintyre (Hamden, Conn.) led the Southern defense by recording two of the Owls' three interceptions, with
Jaylen Lewis (Manchester, Conn.) having the other.
Harrison Smith (Rochester, Mass.) had a game-high two sacks, while
Richard Williams, Jr. (Westersfield, Conn.) and
Robert Nunez (Valley Stream, N.Y.) had a team-high eight tackles.
Joe Bernard (Nashua, N.H.) threw for 241 yards, while
T.J. Gardner (Windsor, Conn.), Ezequiel Johnson (Monmouth Junction, N.J.), and
Diante Wilson (Union, N.J.) all recorded rushing touchdowns.
Izaiah Sanders (Stamford, Conn.) lead all receivers with a game-high 108 yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- AIC scored the first points of the game on a touchdown with 7:40 remaining in the first quarter, but missed the extra point attempt, and took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.
- With 12:11 remaining in the second quarter, Gardner capped off a 15 play, 88-yard touchdown drive with a one-yard rush up the middle for his second touchdown of the season.
- Szymon Gawlick (Newton, Mass.) made a 32-yard field goal with 5:27 remaining to give Southern a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.
- AIC received the kickoff to begin the second half, but had a 23-yard field goal blocked.
- Bernard led a four-play drive by connecting on a 41-yard pass to Ryan Soules (Mt. Vernon, N.Y) and a 31-yard pass to Sanders. Johnson then gave Southern a 16-7 lead with a five yard touchdown run.
- Southern's defense forced two AIC punts to begin the fourth quarter, with Delgado-McIntyre returning the second punt to the AIC 23 yard line. Johnson then scored on Southern's first play to give the Owls a 23-7 lead after Gawlick's extra point.
NOTES
- Southern has started 2-0 at home for the first time since 2016, when they also started 2-0 after wins against Stonehill and AIC.
- Southern's defense held their opponent to single-digits for the first time since Nov. 11, 2017, when they shutout Pace, 34-0
- Delgado-McIntyre became the first Southern player with two interceptions in a game since him did it himself on Oct. 13, 2018 against Assumption.
- Harrison Smith recorded a career-high two sacks and five tackles.
- Richard Williams' eight tackles were a new career-high.
- Sanders now has two 100-yard receiving games this season (also, Sept. 3, 2021 against Central Connecticut) and four for his career.
- Johnson's and Wilson's touchdowns were the first of their collegiate careers.
- Gawlick is now 6-6 on field goal attempts this season.
UP NEXT
Southern will face Assumption in Worcester, Mass. on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. The Owls' next home date will be Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 16 against Bentley.