Defense delivers the edge against Dean

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Salve Regina University football hosted Dean College in an exhibition game at Gaudet Field in Middletown, the home opener for the Seahawks, and the hosts won, 24-14.

Despite losing the turnover battle, 5-0 (three fumbles lost, two passes intercepted), Salve Regina had eight more first downs (19-11) and sacked the opposing quarterback, David Curry (Bethlehem, Ga.), seven times. The Seahawks outgained the Bulldogs on the ground (218 yards rushing to six) and in the air (99 yards passing to 64).

Salve Regina quarterback Brandan Basil (Northford, Conn.) put the first points on the board with a one-yard keeper on the left side. Andrew Verre (Wethersfield, Conn.) kicked his first of three successful PAT attempts. The sophomore kicker added a 28-yard field goal to open the second-half scoring.

Dean capitalized on an incomplete backwards pass from Basil to James Dawson (Oradell, N.J.) and Dishawn Browning (Duncan, S.C.) scooped up the loose ball to run 42 yards for a Bulldog touchdown. Jordan Colleary (Palm Harbor, Fla.) tied the score at 7-7 with his extra-point kick.

With just under five minutes remaining in the first half, Basil found Tommy Seaver (Rocky Hill, Conn.) for a 21-yard TD strike to complete a 12-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Salve Regina took the second-half kickoff and moved 26 yards in five plays before throwing an interception.

The Seahawk defense pushed the Bulldogs from the Salve Regina 31 to the 43 (loss of 12 yards) in four plays to give the offense another scoring opportunity. Verre's field goal capped an eight-play, 46-yard drive.

David Gelormini (New Providence, N.J.) executed an onside kick that was recovered by his first-year teammate, Chris Rosati (Shoreham, N.Y.), at the Seahawk 48-yard line. Senior running back Sam Pascale (Cheshire, Conn.) took the next handoff 52 yards into the endzone for a 24-7 Salve Regina lead. Pascale finished with a game-high 150 net yards rushing.

Curry finished the scoring with his own one-yard keeper in the fourth quarter (8:26 remaining).

The Seahawk defensive unit has posted back-to-back games of six or more sacks. Against Dean, John Salute (Mahwah, N.J.), Kevin Johnston (Raynham, Mass.), Ethan Gambale (Mays Landing, N.J.), and Tyler D'Errico (Cheshire, Conn.) accounted for the Curry takedowns in the backfield.

None of the statistics, nor the result, count on Salve Regina's record since Dean is exploring NCAA Divsion III membership, transitioning from junior college competition. Bulldogs' next opponent is Husson University, who met Salve Regina in the ECAC Bowl Championship Game last November, Seahawks winning 42-39.

All-Time Series
No official games have been played between the two schools as of this date.
 
Quotes
"Our defense had a great game and offense took advantage and made some big plays at opportune times - which equals a win!" – Salve Regina head coach Kevin Gilmartin
 
Next Games
Dean (1-1) – Saturday, September 17 at Husson, 7 p.m.
Salve Regina (1-0) – Saturday, September 17 at Castleton, 12 p.m.