Today: Mar 28, 2024

Owls fall to Pace University 10-7, ending football season 2-9

Gary Williams waves to a player during the game against Pace University. 

Aaron JohnsonSports Editor

NEW HAVEN — The frigid fall air blew in as the Southern Connecticut State University Owls lined up. Junior kicker Jeffrey Groth was getting ready to kick the Owls into overtime. But a false start penalty, Southern’s 11th of the game, pushed the ball back from a possible 33-yard attempt, to a 38-yarder. Groth has more than enough leg from 38, but pushed the too far to the right, sealing the victory for Pace University and ending the Owls’ 2-9 season with a heartbreaking 10-7 loss.

“The guys are hurt right now of course,” said Assistant coach Chris Lorenti. “They put in a lot of work for this. Anytime you put in work for something and you’re unsuccessful you’re going be hurt. But there are lessons to be learned from that. And I think there are valuable lessons whether you win or you lose.”

In a defensive battle the entire game, the Setters were only about to mustard up 150 yards of total offense against a tough Owls defense, most of which came on the ground. Southern pass rushers were in the backfield on nearly every play against Pace quarterback Brian Beeker.

The Owls were the first to get on the board in the second quarter on a three yard run by wide receiver Seth Sheridan. Sheridan took a quick jet sweep handoff and went right around the right side before waltzing into the endzone. Southern’s offense had its struggles throughout the game, but were able to put together several nice drive before stalling.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSWBUEF11Y]

“All season long we’ve been able to string plays together and string drives together,” Lorenti said. “It’s about finishing down there. It’s about the little things. The attention to detail and we slipped up as far as attention to detail. We slipped up in the very minute details.”

In their final home game in the blue and white of Southern, several seniors were able to have good games. Seniors Carlif Taylor and Brian Wilcox lead the Owls on defense with 10 total tackles apiece. While holding back tears, Taylor said that despite the tough season in his final campaign, he was satisfied.

“I got no regrets man,” he said. “I did my work here man. I came in and changed my body mental, physical, and spiritual. I just know that I did the best I could do and I love my team. I told them on and off the field that I’m gonna be there for them. Even if I’m not here, I’m still here because that’s my family.”

On the offensive side of the ball for the Owls, seniors Gary Williams and Julian Hayes turned in some of their finest work of the season. Williams finished the game with 11 catches for 88 yards and Hayes was the work horse for Southern on the ground, rushing for 104 yards on 23 carries. Taylor said that he was proud of all the seniors in their final game.

“I just want everyone to know that win, lose, or draw we’re a family,” he said. “On top of that you just have to know that you have to fight. Every week is going to be a fight. It’s not what you do during the season. It’s about what you do during the offseason. We’re always gonna fight, those are my brothers so that’s all we can do.”

As the Owls look towards the future, the returning player are preparing for the 2015 season. After several heartbreaking losses, Southern is focused going into next season.

“Everyone is obviously down right now,” said sophomore linebacker Kayjuan Bynum.

“We’re real upset. But we’re going to take this for motivation going into next season.”

Photo Credit: Aaron Johnson

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