Manchester, N.H. (October 29, 2005) – Senior Jim Lukowiak (Brick, N.J.) made eight receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns as the Southern Connecticut State Owls handed defeat to Saint Anselm, 45-7, in Northeast-10 football action at Grappone Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Saint Anselm freshman QB Dan Cohen (Wilbraham , Mass. ) connected with junior receiver Pat Turner (N. Andover , Mass. ) early in the first quarter on a 15-yard pass to put the Hawks ahead. Junior Mike Garcarz (New Britain , Conn. ) made the kick, his 13th in as many tries this season to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead. Cohen went 20-39 for 172 yards with one interception on the day.
Southern Connecticut began the second quarter on the Saint Anselm four-yard line, and senior FB Rory Palmer (San Diego , Calif. ) took quick advantage, rushing in on two plays in 35 seconds to score.
Owls QB Steve Armstrong (Nutley , N.J. ) connected twice with Lukowiak in the second quarter, first with a 20-yard pass, then with a 70-yard catch-and-run. The second scoring reception for Lukowiak marked his 15th on the season, breaking Southern Connecticut 's season touchdown record of 13 set by Lukowiak in 2003. Armstrong finished 20-27 for 253 yards.
The Owls smothered Saint Anselm's next drive by forcing, and then recovering a fumble. Senior DE Rashard Howard (Miami, Fla.) was right on Hawks senior RB Mike Donoghue (Newbury, N.H.), forcing the fumble, which was recovered by Gaway Cantave (Milton, Mass.).
Senior RB Shawn Harris (W. Haverstraw, N.Y.) ran for 43 yards on the second play of the Owls' ensuing drive to increase Southern Connecticut 's lead to 20. Harris finished the day with 140 yards on 15 carries.
The kick by freshman Ed Arias (Norwalk, Conn.), his third good kick of the game, put the Owls safely ahead at the half, and also set a new school record for PAT kicks in a season with 48. Arias would later increase the record to 50.
The Owls scored two more touchdowns and a field goal in the third quarter, with the first score coming at the end of a nine play, 75-yard drive culminating with a four-yard pass from Armstrong to freshman WR Chris Bergeski (Mountainside, N.J.). The second came after a 74-yard interception return by freshman Ron Turner (Hamden , Conn. ) which was halted at the 1-yard line by Saint Anselm's Turner. Palmer carried for one yard, and Arias's kick was good, completing the scoring for the Owls.
Southern Connecticut (7-2, 6-2 NE-10) held Saint Anselm to just 179 yards passing and 8 yards on the ground, while posting 218 yards rushing and 289 in the air.
Saint Anselm's defense was led by Nate Munzing (Gardiner , Maine ) who posted a career high 11 tackles (eight solo). Senior Mike Bombardier (Kingston , Mass. ) added a season-high 10 tackles (nine solo), and junior Thomas Kelleher (Wakefield, Mass.) chipped in with a season high nine solo tackles.
Saint Anselm (1-8, 0-8 NE-10) finishes its season traveling to AIC next Saturday for a noon conference matchup. Southern Connecticut hosts Bryant at 1 p.m. on Saturday for its regular season finale.
