Satchell, the 2004 ACFC Player of the Year, finished 2005 with 1,250 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns for the Sea Gulls and earned a spot on the All-ACFC first team offense. 

Westbrook was recently named to the All-ACFC first-team defense and the second-team special teams unit. He finished the 2005 season with 49 tackles and five interceptions. 

Wehnert is a four-year starter on Coach Sherman Wood’s offensive line. The line led the Sea Gulls to the fourth best rushing offense in the nation, averaging 330.4 yards per game on the ground in 2005. He was recently named to the All-ACFC first-team offense. 

SALISBURY, Md. - Salisbury place kicker Brock Boland (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional) was recently selected Special Teams Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey at their 38th annual Awards Banquet at the Woodbury (NJ) Country Club.

The Touchdown Club also honored the college Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, scholastic backs, linemen, and scholastic scholar-athlete, and a scholastic Coach of the Year from among the 36 schools in the Touchdown Club’s area.

Boland finished the 2005 season connecting on 11 of 14 field goals, including highs of 46 yards and 45 yards.

Boland has also been selected to the All-ACFC first-team Special Teams unit and named ACFC Special Teams Player of the Year. Boland had previously been named to the All-ACFC first-team Special Teams unit in 2003 and 2004 and shared ACFC Special Teams Player of the Year with Apprentice’s Ricky Doles in 2004.

Wehnert has been the anchor of Coach Sherman Wood’s offensive line for the past five seasons. He has been part of an offensive line that has produced recording setting rushing offenses, including the 2005 team that finished the season fourth in rushing offense with 330.4 yards per game. 

Wehnert joins 24 other players on the All-American team, including 20 other seniors. He also joins 45 other seniors on the AFCA Division III all-star team. 

In the victory, Salisbury broke a school record in most points scored in a season with 442. The mark breaks the 19-year record of 441. 

Salisbury (8-3) kicked off the scoring early in the first quarter, as quarterback Travis Peters (La Plata, MD/McDonough) finished off a four-play, 80-yard drive with a five-yard run into the end zone. On the ensuing drive, the Sea Gulls appeared to force a Franklin & Marshall punt after stopping the Diplomats on the 47-yard line. The ball was snapped, however, to running back Rick Dunlap (Boothwyn, PA/Garnet Valley), as he rushed the ball for 42 yards. Shortly after, the Diplomats would hit paydirt, as Diplomat quarterback Jeff Harner (Mohrsville, PA/St. Joseph’s Prep) ran the ball in from 11 yards out to tie the score at 7-7. 

On the ensuing Salisbury drive, the Sea Gulls would get the ball at their own thirty. Salisbury began to establish the running game, highlighted by a 16-yard run by Teddy Savage (Owings Mills, MD/Poly) to put Sea Gulls at their own 41 yard line. The drive, however, was snuffed out as quarterback Ronnie Curley (Ellicott City,  MD/Howard) fumbled the ball on the 41 and it was recovered by the Diplomats’s Mickey Rehring (Harrison, TN/State College).

The Salisbury turnover would lead to a Franklin & Marshall score, culminating in another touchdown run for Harnerd. His five-yard sprint into the end zone would give the Diplomats a 14-7 edge. 

In their first possession of the second quarter, the Sea Gulls would strike again with their running game. Salisbury received the ball on its own 29 yard line as the defense forced a Franklin & Marshall turnover on downs. SU marched 71 yards down the field, highlighted by two big runs, an 18-yard scamper for Leroy Satchell (Baltimore, MD/Waynesboro) and a 29-yard burst from slot receiver David Leonard (Upper Marlboro, MD/Riverdale Baptist). Satchell would finish the drive with a seven-yard sprint into the end zone for the touchdown. The Sea Gulls were unable to tie the score, however, as kicker Brock Boland (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional) missed the extra point, leaving the Sea Gulls down by one, 14-13. 

Franklin & Marshall would retake the four-point lead on the next drive, as the Diplomats drove down the field for 48 yards. Diplomat kicker Brandon Kline (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) kicked the field goal from 31 yards out to increase the lead to 17-13. 

Salisbury answered with a field goal of its own, as Boland connected from 24 yards out to pull the Gulls to within 17-16 at the half. 

At the start of the second half, Salisbury received the ball first and promptly took the lead. It would appear that the Sea Gulls would take the lead on the kickoff, as Bryon Westbrook (Ft. Washington, MD/DeMatha) torched the Diplomat special teams for an apparent 88-yard score. The touchdown, however, was called back as the officials called a personal foul at the Franklin & Marshall 34 yard line. The Sea Gulls received the ball at the 49 yard line of the Diplomats. The Sea Gulls used a 15 yard run by Peters and a Diplomat 13-yard personal foul penalty to reach the Franklin & Marshall 14 yard line. From there, Peters found receiver Chris Newton (Pasadena, MD/Glen Burnie) for the touchdown. Peters would convert the two point conversion to give the Sea Gulls a seven point lead, 24-17. 

On the ensuing drive, the Sea Gulls appeared to force the Diplomats to punt, but were faked again as Dunlap received the direct snap for the second time in the game and rushed through Salisbury’s special teams for 34 yards to keep the drive alive. Shortly thereafter, however, the drive was over as Salisbury defensive lineman Andrew Deming (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) forced a fumble by Diplomat running back Marc Patricelli (Milmont Park, PA/Roman Catholic). Salisbury’s Brooks Moser (Jefferson, MD/Middletown) recovered the fumble to give the Sea Gulls the ball at the Franklin & Marshall 47 yard line. 

Salisbury would cash in with a field goal, as Boland kicked it through from 19 yards out to give the team a 27-17 advantage. On the next drive, Franklin & Marshall would cut the lead back to seven, as Kline connected from 25 yards out, cutting the SU advantage to 27-20.

The Diplomats would receive the first possession of the fourth quarter and quickly cash in with a 22-yard field goal from Kline to make the score 27-23 with 9:38 left in the fourth. 

The Sea Gulls would hold off the final two Diplomat possessions to win the game. 

Individually, Satchell (142 yards rushing) and Peters (134) combined for 276 of Salisbury’s 322 yards on the ground, along with two score. Dunlap led the Diplomats on the ground with 84 yards on five carries. 

In the air, Harner was 20-for-42 in completions for 241 yards for Franklin & Marshall, while Peters was 4-for-9 in completions for 47 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

Defensively for the Diplomats, Rehring led the team with 8.5 tackles, seven solo, and one fumble recovery. J.C. Capote (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield) had one interception. 

For Salisbury, linebacker Jacquis McCray (Silver Spring, MD/Kennedy) led the team with 11 tackles.

As Salisbury received their recognition for winning the ECAC Southeast Bowl, Peters was named Most Outstanding Athlete.

Individually, Satchell finishes the season with 1,250 net yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns. Despite missing the last seven games, quarterback Dustin Johnson (Delmar, MD/Delmar) finished second in rushing with 638 net yards on the ground and five touchdowns.

Defensively, the Gulls were led by McCray, who finished with 65 total tackles, one sack and three interceptions. Defensive back James Jones (Hyattsville, MD/Northwestern) finished second with 51 total tackles and two interceptions. Byron Westbrook led the team in interceptions with five.

Thirteen Sea Gulls Named to All-ACFC Squads
November 19, 2005

Senior kicker Brock Boland (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional) was named to the first team special teams unit and earned individual recognition as the Special Teams Player of the Year, connecting on 11-of-14 field goals and 51-of-55 extra points to average 7.6 points per game. This is the second consecutive year Boland had won individual recognition. In his three seasons with Salisbury, he has been named to the first team special teams unit every season. He broke the SU record for field goals in a season (11) and in a career 32). The previous record of 30 field goals in a season was held by four Salisbury players and spanned over 25 years. Boland  also broke the single-game extra point record, converting 11 against Apprentice School this season.  

The Sea Gulls boasted three players on the first team offense, including standout running back Leroy Satchell, (Baltimore, MD/Waynesboro). Satchell finished the season with 1,250 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns in 10 games. Satchell, who has won Player of the Week twice this season, was the 2004 Offensive Player of the Year. 

Two Sea Gulls players were also named to the offensive line, as Kelvin Ricks (Laurel, MD/Pallotti) and Brett Wehnert (Freeland, MD/Hereford) were recognized. This is Wehnert’s second selection to the first team in his career. He was named to the first team in 2003 and to the second teams in 2002 and 2004. Ricks has been entrenched on Salisbury’s starting offensive line for the past three seasons. 

On the first team defense, Salisbury was represented by linebacker Brooks Moser (Jefferson, MD/Middletown) and defensive back Byron Westbrook (Ft. Washington, MD/DeMatha). This is Westbrook’s second consecutive season that he has been named to the first team. Westbrook has also been honored individually by numerous media outlets. He was named a First Team All-American by Street and Smith magazine and a Second-Team Pre-Season All-American by D3football.com this fall. In 2004, he was named a Third Team All-American. 

In 2005, Moser finished the season fifth on the team in total tackles with 42, to go along with two interceptions, while Westbrook led the Sea Gulls in interceptions with five and was third on the team in total tackles with 49. 

Boland was joined by teammate, punter Bryan Prichard (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson), on the special teams unit. Prichard finished with a 37.8 punt yardage average. He was named Special Teams Performer of the Week earlier this year following Salisbury’s 66-20 victory over Buffalo State. 

On the second team offense, lineman Jerrod Sample (Bishopville, MD/Stephen Decatur) was honored. Sample is a three-year starter on the offensive line and was named to the first time offense last season. 

The Sea Gulls boasted four players on the second team defense, including team captain Andrew Deming (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills). Deming was previously named to the first team defense in 2002 and 2004. Defensive lineman Zach Armiger (Parkton, MD/Hereford) and linebackers Billy Leinemann (Ocean City, MD/Stephen Decatur), and Jacquis McCray (Silver Spring, MD/Kennedy) joined Deming on the second team unit. McCray was recognized last season as Defensive Player of the Week following Salisbury’s 57-13 victory over Apprentice in October 2004. 

Deming finished sixth on the Sea Gulls in total tackles with 41 and contributed five sacks. Armiger contributed 30 tackles and led the team with six sacks. Leinemann finished with 39 total tackles and a sack, while McCray led the team with 65 total tackles and contributed three interceptions. 

Along with his spot on the defensive first team, Westbrook was also named to the second team special teams as a return specialist. Westbrook averaged 8.2 yards in 17 punt returns and 28.2 yards in 30 kickoff returns. 

Senior Nick Good-Malloy (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis) and junior Kristos Miliotis (Odenton, MD/Arundel) received honorable mentions. Good-Malloy had previous conference recognitions on the second team in 2003 and was named to the All-ACFC academic team in 2003 and 2004. Miliotis is a three-year letterman for the Sea Gulls.

Salisbury welcomed back star running back Leroy Satchell to the lineup after he missed last week’s game against Widener with a severe ankle sprain. Satchell would be a big contributor to Salisbury’s win, as he pounded out 107 yards on the ground and one touchdown on 22 carries. Salisbury quarterback Travis Peters also contributed 62 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 23 carries. 

It was also a special night for kicker Brock Boland, as he was a perfect three for three on field goal attempts, including the game-winning 45 yard strike. Tonight’s field goal conversions were the first for Boland since the third quarter of the 66-20 victory over Buffalo State in week six. Boland is now nine out of twelve on field goal attempts on the season. 

Frostburg’s Shanorm Young would lead the Bobcats in rushing, pounding out 55 yards on the ground and two scores on 19 carries. Quarterback Jimmy Ward completed 21 of 35 attempts through the air for 207 yards and a touchdown pass. Bobby Alkire led Bobcat receivers with 59 yards on five receptions and a touchdown. 

The Sea Gulls would take the lead on the very first possession of the game, as they marched down the field for 10 plays and 59 yards, taking 4:04 off the clock. Sophomore running back Jamar Garner would punch the ball in from seven yards out to give Salisbury the 7-0 lead. 

Salisbury would extend the lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter when senior quarterback Travis Peters ran the ball in from 11 yards out for the score. The Bobcats would answer at the 5:00 mark of the second quarter, as Shanorm Young completed a Frostburg drive of five plays with a three yard run into the end zone to make it 14-7.

 Before the half, Frostburg’s Kevin Culbert recovered a fumble by Sea Gull Chris Newton. Frostburg would cash in on the turnover as junior Bobby Alkire received a 29 yard strike from Bobcats quarterback Jimmy Ward with 3:20 left in the half to tie the score at 14. The game would remain tied as the teams went into the locker rooms for intermission. 

Frostburg State was to receive the ball to start the second half, but the Bobcats would turn it over on the kickoff, as Salisbury’s Kevin Olive recovered a fumble by Mike Gray at the Bobcat 19 yard line. The Sea Gulls would use the short field to their advantage as senior kicker Brock Boland converted a 29 yard field goal to give Salisbury a 17-14 lead. 

The teams would trade possession twice until Salisbury’s Leroy Satchell broke a 30 yard run to score at the 6:11 mark of the third quarter and make the score 24-14 in favor of the Sea Gulls. Late in the third quarter, Frostburg quarterback Jimmy Ward would find receiver Damian Shorter for 19 yards to pull the Bobcats to the Salisbury 28-yard line. The reception would lead to Shanorm Young’s second touchdown of the game to make the score 24-21 early in the fourth quarter. 

The teams would again trade possessions until the 9:07 mark. With Salisbury driving, the Bobcat’s Mike Davis would recover a fumble by Travis Peters forced by Lathon Romaine. The second Salisbury turnover of the game would lead to a field goal by Mark Sedlock to make knot the game at 24. 

On the ensuing drive, Salisbury would take over at the 50 yard line following a 27 yard return by Byron Westbrook. The team would use a pair of 16 yard runs, one each by Satchell and Peters, to enter field goal territory. Brock Boland would convert the 45 yard field goal attempt to give the Sea Gulls the lead for good, 27-24. The 45 yard conversion was the second longest for Boland on the season. 

The Sea Gulls would force a Frostburg turnover on the next drive as Justin Ritter recovered a fumble by quarterback Jimmy Ward at the Frostburg 29 yard line. Salisbury would cash in on the turnover, as Boland kicked his third field goal of the game from 31 yards out to give the Sea Gulls a 30-24 lead.

Defensively, the Sea Gulls were led by a trio of Brooks Moser, Andrew Deming, and Justin Ritter, who each had four tackles. Ritter would add a sack for a four yard loss and the recovered fumble. Jacquis McCray and Sean Fuller would add interceptions for the Sea Gulls.

The Bobcats were led defensively by Ryan Cutsail, who recorded 10 tackles, five for a loss, and a fumble recovery. Lathon Romaine would also contribute nine tackles, three for a loss, an interception, and a sack.

Salisbury held the Bobcats to 53 yards on the ground, while the Bobcats held the Sea Gulls to 36 yards in the air. Salisbury also held the advantage in time of possession, 34:26 to 25:34, and first downs, 17 to 14.

After the game, team MVPs were given to Salisbury’s Brock Boland and Frostburg’s Lathon Romaine. The Salisbury victory guaranteed a three-team share of the ACFC conference championship between Brockport State, Salisbury, and Wesley, as each team holds a 4-1 conference record. Brockport State defeated Buffalo State, 25-19, earlier in the day to earn a share of the conference title.

This is Salisbury’s second straight season with at least a share of the conference crown and the second time in school’s tenure in the conference that Salisbury has held at least the share of the title.

Salisbury will await word Monday afternoon to see if they will be selected for an ECAC playoff bid.

Feiser was honored for his defensive performance of nine tackles, six solo, and a 67-yeard interception return for a touchdown in Salisbury’s 31-28 loss to Widener on Saturday. Feiser’s touchdown tied the game late at 28-28 until Widener marched down the field in the fourth quarter for the game winning field goal as time expired. He shares the award with Apprentice running back Shonterious Atkins, who finished with a combined 123 yards and one touchdown in Apprentice’s 14-10 victory over Seton Hall. 

Mosner was nominated for his defensive performance on Saturday, recording eight tackles, seven solo and two interceptions against Widener. The award, however, was shared between Apprentice’s Olando Robinson and Wesley’s Bryan Robinson. 

Feiser is the third Sea Gull to be honored as Rookie of the Week. Quarterback Ronnie Curley (Ellicott City, MD/Howard) won the award following Salisbury’s 77-13 victory over Apprentice on October 1 at Sea Gull Field. Linebacker Justin Ritter (Smyrna, DE/Smyna) won the award following Salisbury’s 35-30 victory over SUNY-Brockport on September 10 in Brockport, New York. 

Salisbury (6-3), which dropped its second straight contest and severely damaged its hopes for an ECAC Southwest Championship game bid, fought back time and time again despite playing without 1,000-yard running back Leroy Satchell. The Sea Gulls, with Satchell in street clothes with a severely sprained ankle, fell behind 13-0 in the opening stanza and trailed 20-7 at intermission.

But a five-yard touchdown run by junior Teddy Savage (7 att., 34 yds., 1 TD) after a 40-yard  interception return by junior Brooks Moser (pictured) with 13:22 left in the third quarter pulled SU to within 20-14 and appeared to ignite the Sea Gulls.

Moser picked off his second pass of the day on the Pioneers’ next series, giving SU possession on the WU 43. A Jamar Garner 21-yard gain and a Chris Newton 10-yard jaunt helped move the ball to the Widener five-yard line. But Antwoine Jackson fumbled at the one yard line and Pioneers were allowed to keep their lead.

Late in the period, senior Nick Good-Malloy recovered fumble by Lomas at the Widener 29-yard line. Eight plays and 3:38 later sophomore David Leonard (4 att., 19 yds., 1 TD) followed the blocks of junior Kristos Miliotis and senior Brett Wehnert off right tackle for the tying touchdown with 14:56 remaining in regulation. Brock Boland gave Salisbury its first lead, 21-20.

Widener bounced back two series’ later by driving 55 yards in four plays for a touchdown. The key play was a pass from Lomas to Jeff Chick. On a second-and-nine situation from the Salisbury 23, Lomas (16-of-41, 5 int., 3 TD) threw a bullet to Chick. Salisbury sophomore Thaddeus Hicks, who intercepted one pass on the day, dove in front of the receiver but missed the ball and Chick walked into the endzone. Lomas then connected with Chick for the two-point conversion, giving the Pioneers a 28-21 lead with 9:44 left.

The squads traded possessions for the next five minutes, before the Pioneers began driving the ball toward a possible insurance score. But Salisbury freshman Matt Feiser, who led the Gulls with 7.5 tackles, stepped in front of a Lomas pass on the left side of the field and Feiser raced down the sideline for the touchdown. Boland’s point after tied the score at 28-28 with 2:52 remaining.

After stopping the Pioneers, Salisbury took over on its own 26-yard line with 1:39 left on the clock. Running its hurry-up offense quickly moved to the 42. But Todd Fairlie intercepted a Peters’ pass and returned it 23 yards to the SU 30.

Widener milked the clock and Vinci drilled a 29-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Pioneers to their seventh win of the season.

Salisbury used a running back-by-committee game plan to keep its offense moving. In the absence of Satchell, nine different players carried the ball for the Gulls. In addition to completing 5-of-15 passes for 52 yards and a pair of interceptions, Peters led SU in rushing with 67 yards on 21 carries. Freshman Ronnie Shockley added 34 yards on 10 carries and Newton finished with 28 yards on four attempts.

Khalee Prothro paced the Pioneers with 79 yards rushing on 19 attempts. Chick was the leading WU receiver with nine catches for 105 yards and a pair of scores.

Salisbury had more first downs (19-13) and rushing yards (221-95) than Widener, but the Pioneers outgained SU in the air (217-52) and in total yards (312-273).

The Sea Gulls turned the ball over six times, losing 4-of-7 fumbles, while the Pioneers finished with six turnovers, losing 1-of-2 fumbles.

Salisbury had five penalties for 48 yards, but one infraction in the first half was especially painful. Trailing 13-7 after a Peters’ two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, the Sea Gulls got the ball back. Shockely then took a handoff a sprinted 75 yards down the right sideline for an apparent touchdown. But an illegal block penalty wiped out the touchdown and the possible lead.

Not to be outdone by Feiser’s 7.5 tackles and one interception, Moser picked off two passes and also finished with 7.5 tackles. He also had a pass breakup.

Todd Fairlie paced the Pioneers with eight tackles, one tackle behind the line, two fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions.

Salisbury will now look ahead to closing out the regular season on a high note and hope for an ECAC post-season bid next Saturday when the Sea Gulls take on Frostburg State University in the Seventh Annual Regents Cup game at Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University. Game time is 7 p.m.

The top 10 remains unchanged from a week before. Linfield (7-0) continues to hold the top spot, garnering 625 points and 25 first place votes. UW-Whitewater (8-0) holds second with 566 points, followed by St. John’s (9-0) at third with 556 points; Rowan (7-0) at fourth with 546 points; and Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-1) at fifth with 512 points. 

Mount Union (7-1) holds sixth with 488 points, followed by Occidental (7-0) at seventh with 483 points; Delaware Valley (8-0) at eighth with 437; Trinity of Texas (7-0) at ninth with 397 points; and Hardin-Simmons (7-1) at tenth with 394 points. 

Along with Salisbury, No. 24 UW-Lacrosse (3-4) was dropped from the rankings following their 24-6 loss to UW-Stout (6-2) on Saturday. Wesley received 36 votes, while Salisbury received five. 

The 63-19 loss to the Wolverines of Wesley hurt Salisbury in the conference and in the national race to the Division III crown. Coming into the game, the Sea Gulls were the number one rushing school in Division III, averaging 396.4 yards per game. The Wolverines held the Sea Gulls to a mere 76 yards on the ground, dropping the Sea Gulls (356.4 yards per game) to third behind Ferrum (390.8) and Augustana (373.3).  

Running back Leroy Satchell (Baltimore, MD/Waynesboro) was held to 78 yards on the ground, breaking a two game streak that saw him rush a combined 377 yards against Buffalo State and St. Peter’s, respectively. The Wolverines were able to get to quarterback Travis Peters (La Plata, MD/McDonough) often in the game, as they sacked him four times and held him to negative yardage on the ground for the day. 

The win had a big impact in several respects to both schools. Wesley (8-1, 4-1 ACFC) not only secured a share of the title, but took a one-half game lead in the league race with two weeks remaining in the regular season. Salisbury (6-2, 3-1 ACFC) and Brockport State (3-5, 3-1 ACFC) remain behind the Wolverines, but remain tied in the loss column with Wesley. The league race could conceivably end with tri-champions as Brockport State, who lost at Rowan, 22-0 in a non-conference game Saturday, and Salisbury both have one conference game remaining. Wesley only has a non-conference game at Chowan left on its schedule. 

Salisbury will host Widener next Saturday in a non-conference matchup and will then need a win over Frostburg State on Nov. 12 in its season finale to clinch a tie for the title. Brockport State will travel to College of New Jersey next week for a non-conference game. Brockport will need a victory at Buffalo State on Nov. 12 to clinch at least a share of the championship. 

Wesley improved its chances at gaining a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs and dampened Salisbury’s opportunity. The Atlantic Central Football Conference does not have an automatic berth in the NCAA playoffs. Salisbury must win both of its final two games to have a chance at a Division III post-season berth. 

Salisbury has played most of the season with a ‘bend-but-don’t-break’ attitude in the defensive secondary, allowing opponents to pass for an average of 225.7 yards per game through the air and 338.4 yards per contest of total offense. Wesley exploited the Sea Gulls’ weakness in the defensive secondary. Wolverine quarterback Chris Warrick completed 28-of-37 passes (75.7%) for 470 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Warrick’s favorite target was Marcus Lee, who hauled in eight aerials for 180 yards and a pair of scores. Curtis Gore pulled in seven passes for 90 yards and Larry Beavers caught six four 118 yards. 

The Wolverines also gained 173 yards on the ground. Alpha Koroma and Kevin Nelson each gained 50 yards on the day as WC tallied 643 yards of total offense. 

Salisbury entered the game with the No.1 rushing offense in the nation, averaging 396.4 yards per game. But the Wesley defense, which is 22nd (89.1 ypg) nationally against the run, allowed the Sea Gulls just 76 yards on 40 rushes for 1.9-yards per play. SU running back Leroy Satchell (Baltimore, MD/Waynesboro) was held to 74 yards on 15 carries, which gives him 1,001 yards on the season. 

Because the rushing attack was stymied, the Sea Gulls were forced to go to the airways. Senior quarterback Travis Peters (La Plata, MD/McDonough) completed 8-of-18 passes for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Teddy Savage (Owings Mills, MD/Poly) hauled in three passes for eight years and Adam Dickerson (Baltimore, MD/Poly) caught one for 42 to lead SU. The Gulls finished the game with a season-low in total yards (201) and points (19). 

"There was no doubt that Wesley wanted this game more than we did today," Salisbury head football coach Sherman Wood said. "They came out and used their speed advantage to their advantage both offensively and defensively. They were by far the fastest team we have seen this year." 

Wood said he knew that slowing down Warrick and Company wasn’t going to be an easy task.

"We knew they were going to throw the ball and we were hoping to slow them down. But we not only could not answer their speed advantage offensive," Wood said, "But they quickness and speed on defense also caused us a lot of problems." 

"Earlier in the season when teams put seven men on the line of scrimmage, we did alright (running the ball) once we got in to the defensive secondary, but that was not the case today." 

Special teams mistakes also hurt Salisbury as the Sea Gulls had two punts blocked and fumbled the snap on another to turn the ball over on downs. 

In a game that many felt was going to end up as a track meet, the first quarter was an indication of anything but that. Wesley put the only points on the scoreboard when Warrick culminated an eight-play, 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. 

The contest began to look more like the scoring dual in the second period as the two squads combined for 48 points. Shortly after the Wesley touchdown, Peters and Alfred Little (Salisbury, MD/James M. Bennett) teamed up for a 27-yard scoring toss to complete another eight-play, 71-yard drive. The extra point attempt by Brock Boland (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional) failed, however, leaving SU down 7-6 with 14:28 left in the half. 

Wesley then scored five touchdowns in a span of 13:47 of the period. Koroma scored from 15-yards out, Jon Drummonds then turned a Brian Prichard blocked punt 14 yards for a score and Warrick scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to give WC a 28-6 lead with 8:59 left in the half. 

Peters hit Savage for a seven-yard touchdown pass as Salisbury slowed the bleading with a 22-yard drive and a touchdown to cut the Wolverine lead to 28-13 with 7:23 still remaining in the half. 

But Warrick hit Curtis Gore for a 31-yard scoring toss and Marcus Lee for a 12-yard touchdown as WC led comfortably at intermission, 42-13. 

Warrick and Mike Clarke teamed up for a nine-yard scoring play early in the third quarter and Nelson scored from six-yards out to boost the Wolverine lead to 56-13 with 6:38 left in the third. 

The top five changed significantly. Linfield (6-0) remained in the top spot with 625, but was followed by UW-Whitewater (7-0), who jumped four spots to No. 2. St. John’s (8-0) moved two spots to No. 3, followed by Rowan University (6-0) remaining in fourth, and Mary Hardin-Baylor (5-1), which jumped four spots to No. 5. 

Mount Union (6-1) dropped four spots to No. 6, followed by Occidental (6-0) at No. 7; Delaware Valley (7-0) at No. 8; Trinity College of Texas (6-0) at No. 9; and Hardin-Simmons (6-1), who dropped seven spots to No. 10. 

The Sea Gulls started slow against St. Peter’s, but took control in the second quarter on the strength of two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Travis Peters (La Plata, MD/McDonough) and a receiving touchdown from Peters to wide receiver Joseph Early (New Market, MD/Linganore). Senior Leroy Satchell (Baltimore, MD/Waynesboro) rushed for 188 yards on 25 carriers and three touchdowns on the afternoon. 

Salisbury continues to lead the nation in team rushing, with 396.4 yards per game. Salisbury, second in the nation in scoring offense with 48.3 points a game, was edged out of the top spot by Linfield (49.0 points a game). 

Despite the loss of all-conference quarterback Dustin Johnson (Delmar, MD/Delmar), the Salisbury offense has been clicking in recent weeks.  The team had routed its last two opponents by a combined score of 143-33.  The team came into the game ranked No. 1 in rushing offense, averaging 394.7 yards per game, and second in scoring offense at 49.5 points per game.  On Saturday, the team was led again by senior Leroy Satchell (Baltimore, MD/Waynesboro), who contributed 188 yards on the ground and three scores. 

On the ensuing drive, the Sea Gulls coughed up the ball at the Peacock’s 47 yard line. The drive was aided again by a penalty, as a personal foul call on the Sea Gulls placed St. Peter’s on the Salisbury 31. The Peacocks drove into field goal range, but was halted by the Salisbury defense as senior defensive back Byron Westbrook (Ft. Washington, MD/DeMatha) intercepted the Bonnono pass at the 27 yard line. 

St. Peter’s again forced a Salisbury turnover on the ensuing drive, as senior Teddy Savage (Owings Mills, MD/Poly) fumbled the ball at the St. Peter’s 26. The defense, however, forced the Peacocks to punt following three plays. 

Salisbury began the fourth quarter with a score, as Satchell ran in from three yards out for his second touchdown on the afternoon to extend the lead to 34-16, completing a nine play, 51 yard drive. The Sea Gulls then limited the Peacocks to a three and out. On the ensuing drive, Peters and Satchell marched the Sea Gulls down the field. Satchell would score his third touchdown on the day, behind tackles Spencer Henderson (Bethesda, MD/Georgetown Prep.) and Kristos Miliotis (Odenton, MD/Arundel) to make the final score, 41-16. 

Defensively, the Sea Gulls were led by Leinemann, who had 11 total tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, followed by Justin Ritter (Smyrna, DE/Smyrna) with seven tackles and a sack, and senior captain Andrew Deming (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) with six tackles and a sack for a 15 yard loss. 

St. Peter’s John Hartenfels contributed 12 total tackles, 10 unassisted. Terrance Wright followed with nine. The Peacocks recorded four sacks, one apiece by Will Mitchell, Sydney Murray, Jahma Reynolds, and John Robinson. 

The Sea Gulls return to action next weekend, as they travel to Dover, DE for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against ACFC conference opponent Wesley College. The Wolverines, who came into the game ranked No. 25 in the Division III football, are coming off a shocking 47-0 loss to Brockport St in New York.

Salisbury senior running back Leroy Satchell (Baltimore, Md./Waynesboro) carried the ball 16 times for 189 yards (11.5 avg.) and came within one touchdown of the SU school record as he crossed the goal line five times. Satchell now has 739 yards rushing on the year and has scored 13 touchdown. The Sea Gull offense also came close to breaking a school mark, finishing the day with 627 total yards. The school mark was set in 1988 against Frostburg State when the Gulls recorded 633 yards of offense.

The turning point of the contest came late in the second quarter as Salisbury (5-1, 3-0 ACFC) led 21-14 and was trying to make a play to put the Bengals (1-4, 0-3 ACFC) away. Buffalo State had taken over on its own six yard line and had moved to into Salisbury territory. Senior quarterback Mike Mikolaichik (Hilton, NY/Hilton) had just hit senior Jeff Shostak (E. Smethport, Pa./Smethport Area) with a 21-yard completion to set up a fourth-and-two situation at the Sea Gull 40. But senior Andrew Deming (Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills) and senior Nick Good-Malloy (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) stuffed Bob Vesona (Depew, NY/Depew) for no gain on fourth down, giving the ball back to SU.

Salisbury’s offense then drove 60 yards in six plays as Satchell scored his third touchdown of the day. He went off right tackle and scored standing up and Brock Boland’s (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional) point after gave the Gulls a 28-14 halftime lead that appeared to take the bite out of the Bengals. The Sea Gulls, who entered the day as the NCAA Division III No.1 rushing team (384.0 ypg) and the No.5 scoring team (46.2 ppg), ran for 259 yards in the second half to finish with 448 on the ground. SU scored 38 of its 66 points in the final 30 minutes.

Sea Gull senior quarterback Travis Peters (LaPlata, Md./McDonough) improved to 6-0 as a starter, completing 6-of-9 passes for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior Joseph Early (New Market, Md./Linganore) hauled in two aerials for 100 yards and a touchdown and Chris Newton (Pasadena, Md./Glen Burnie) pulled in two for 22 yards. Junior Francis Bryant (Bryans Road, Md./Lackey) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass as well.

Four other SU players rushed for more than 40 yards. Newton ran seven times for 63 yards (9.0 avg.), junior Teddy Savage (Owings Mills, Md./Poly) rushed for 53 yards on five carries (10.6 avg.) and freshman Ronnie Shockley (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) had a 48-yard scoring run.

Buffalo State had its share of big offensive plays during the game. Mikolaichik connected on 18-of-34 passes for 242 yards, a pair of touchdowns and one interception. Greg Meyer (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was his favorite target, pulling in seven for 135 yards and two scores.

Vesona was the leading ground gainer for the Bengals – who ran for 237 as a team while finishing with 498 total yards. Vesona hauled the pigskin 15 times for 156 yards and a touchdown, averaging 10.4 yards per carry.

Salisbury, which leads the ACFC in third down conversions allowed, giving up first downs on only 16.4 percent of the opportunities, held the Bengals to 6-of-19 (31.6%), while the SU offense converted 4-of-9 offensively.

The Sea Gulls took advantage of a Justin Ritter (Smyrna, De./Smyrna) fumble recovery in the opening quarter to go up 7-0. SU only had to drive 16 yards for the touchdown and Satchell slipped three tackles and scored standing up with 6:39 remaining in the period. Boland’s extra point was good and the Gulls led 7-0.

A short time later, Peters hit Bryant racing down the middle of the field for a 54-yard scoring toss with 5:15 left in the opening period. Boland gave SU a 14-0 lead with the PAT.

After stopping the Bengals again, Satchell completed a five-play, 66-yard drive with a 19-yard scoring run to boost the Salisbury lead to 21-0 with 1:52 left in the first quarter.

Buffalo State cut the lead to 21-14 with an 11- and a 44-yard touchdown pass from Mikolaaichik to Greg Meyer (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster). Eric Buchanan (Hamburg, NY/Frontier) tacked on the point after both times to pull the Bengals to within 21-14 with 11:18 left in the half.

After scoring a late touchdown in the second quarter, Satchell took up in the second half where he left off in the first. After a 38-yard kickoff return by Byron Westbrook (Fort Washington, Md./DeMatha) to start the half, Satchell went off right  tackle, broke into the secondary and sprinted into the endzone to give SU a 35-14 lead.

Bolland extended the lead to 45-20 with a 39-yard field goal and Satchell answered a touchdown by the Bengals with a 65-yard scoring run.

Peters and Early teamed up for an 86-yard scoring pass 55 seconds into the fourth quarter to boost the SU lead to 52-50, and Bryant had a 17-yard score and Shockley scored from 48-yards out to close the scoring.

Ritter led the Sea Gull defensive charge in his first start. The freshman tallied four solo tackles and led the team with eight total. He also had one tackle behind the line of scrimmage for a six-yard loss and recovered a fumble. Andrew Deming (Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills) secured six tackles, one for a six-yard loss. He also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had a quarterback sack. Five of Matt Feiser’s (Hagerstown, Md./Smithburg) five tackles were behind the line of scrimmage for nine yards in losses. James Jones (Hyattsville, Md./Northwestern) also tallied five tackles.

Matt Tarasek (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech) led all tacklers with seven unassisted tackles and 10 total. He also recovered a pair of fumbles.

The road ahead for Salisbury won’t get much easier as the Sea Gulls host Division I-AA St. Peter’s College next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Boland won Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. He converted 10 out of 10 extra points to set both a school record and a conference record in Salisbury’s 77-13 victory over Newport News Apprentice. 

Boland shared the award with Frostburg State defensive end Ryan Cutsail. Cutsail returned a block punt 23 yards for a touchdown and contributed to stop a key drive in the Bobcats’ 27-26 victory over Buffalo State. 

Curley won Rookie of the Week honors after leading the Sea Gulls in rushing on Saturday. He ran for 74 yards and scored two touchdowns on eight carriers. He was also a perfect three for three in passing for 22 yards. 

Freshman linebacker Justin Ritter (Smyrna, DE/Smyrna) received honorable mentions for the Defensive Player of the Week award. Ritter had five tackles, three for a loss. 

Junior slot back Francis Bryant (Bryans Road, MD/Lackey) received a honorable mention for the Offensive Player of the Week award. Bryant led the Sea Gulls in receiving with 116 yards on four receptions. He also had 17 yards rushing on three carries. 

The Sea Gulls football team enjoys a bye week in week five. They return to action Saturday, October 15, as they host conference opponent Buffalo State. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.