Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — Midway into the season, Southern Connecticut’s football team headed into their fifth game with a record of 2-2 seeking their third consecutive win against a Pace team that came in 0-4.
Coming into the game the Owls have been hitting on all cylinders. Both defense and offense have been clicking for the past two games and has helped the Owls even their record at .500. During their two game winning streak, the Owls have been averaging 41 points on offense, and allowing 27 points on defense.
The first half was dominated by the Owls completing 10 first downs, 105 yards rushing and 135 yards in the air. Junior wide receiver John Moscatel managed to rush for 101 yards off of nine carries giving the Owls two touchdowns. Pace University did strike six minutes into the game with a 28-yard pass from quarterback Antwan Washington to Cameron Davis.
Moscatel then began his dominance with back-to-back touchdowns giving the Owls a 14-6 lead midway into the second quarter. Pace did respond with a four-yard pass to running back Tunde Fatirgun and sliced the lead down 14-12 Owls.
Owls wide receiver Gary Williams helped extend the lead heading into the half with an eight yard pass from Jablonski giving the Owls a 20-12 lead. Head coach Rich Cavanaugh said the run game was important to the team’s first half success.
“We have been pretty good with the run game this year,” said Cavanaugh. “It was important for what we wanted to do offensively to establish the run game.”
Williams opened up the half for the Owls scoring his second touchdown pass from Jablonski extending their lead 27-12. Moscatel said the reason for his success running the ball was due to the offensive line opening gaps for him to take advantage of.
“The O-line,” said Moscatel, “were getting a huge push off the line and they deserve all the credit. I know I got all the stats but they played hard today.”
Wide receiver Vito Fornarelli had a productive game finishing with four catches for 91 yards including a long 39 yard reception from Jablonski. Jablonski finished the game passing with 225 yards, two touchdowns on 15-24 passing.
The Owls defense in the second half shut Pace down only allowing one touchdown towards the end of the fourth quarter. Cavanaugh said the key on winning the game was the adjustments his team did every quarter.
“They came out doinga lot of different things we hadn’t worked on,” said Cavanaugh. “Coach Dodge, our defensive coordinator, made some adjustments and our kids responded well today.”
The Owls went on to win the game 47-18 giving them their third straight win and also improving their record to 3-2. Moscatel said the receivers played a big role in this game by making big plays when the team needs them too and also catching touchdowns when they had to.
“Our receivers, they kept the game alive. We were struggling in the first half but I feel the receivers made the biggest plays,” said Moscatel. “I remember it was first and twenty five I believe and Vito had a 16-yard gain. Gary Williams had a bunch of big plays. They were the ones converting on third downs and that was the reason we were successful I think.”
Cavanaugh said Williams has been playing on a high level this season and his preparation coming into games is showing and he is fitting well with the team.
“Williams has worked very very hard,” said Cavanaugh. “Williams is really having an outstanding year. He is really developing to one of the top receivers in the league. He makes big play after big play.”
The Owls’ next game is against Stonehill College on Oct. 12 and will also be their homecoming game. Stonehill has a record of 3-1 overall with a 3-0 conference record behind University of New Haven who is 4-0 in the conference. The Owls are third in the conference with a 3-1 record.
After Stonehill, the Owls have one game against Assumption College who is currently 2-3 before they meet up with University of New Haven on Oct. 25 at Jess Dow Field.
