Union, N.J. (11/7/26) – The Kean University football team battled throughout the afternoon but came up short against Salisbury University, 21-12, at Kean Alumni Stadium.
The Cougars (3-5, 2-4 NJAC) kept the contest within reach into the fourth quarter, but the Sea Gulls (7-2, 4-2 NJAC) held on for the conference victory.
Ty Kline led the Cougars offensively, completing 31-of-43 passes for 286 yards while adding 64 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jason Marasciulo hauled in five receptions for 79 yards, while Christian Bujno added seven catches for 76 yards. Anthony Perez finished with nine receptions for 60 yards, and Sal Marchione contributed seven catches for 55 yards. Anthony Lopez connected on a 25-yard field goal.
Stevenson Memo and Eddie Schaefer, who each recorded nine tackles, paced Kean's defense. Jesse Wilfong added four tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Luke Pettersen recorded four tackles and an interception, while Brandon Gomez also picked off a pass. The Cougars finished with two interceptions and forced two Salisbury turnovers.
Kean opened the scoring with a safety after forcing Salisbury into its own end zone on a high snap over the quarterback's head. The Cougars held the early 2-0 advantage before the Sea Gulls responded with a 37-yard touchdown pass from SyRus McGowan to Tyler Orth with 21 seconds remaining in the first quarter to take a 7-2 lead.
Kean answered as Lopez converted a 25-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining in the half, trimming the deficit to 7-5. The Cougars had one more opportunity to pull closer before halftime, but a 44-yard field goal attempt came up short, sending Salisbury into the break with a two-point advantage.
The Sea Gulls extended their lead midway through the third quarter when Dario Belizaire broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run, making it 14-5. Kean responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Kline capped with a seven-yard touchdown run with just 11 seconds remaining in the quarter. Lopez's extra point brought the Cougars within two, 14-12.
Salisbury regained control in the fourth quarter, putting together a 10-play, 71-yard drive that consumed six minutes and ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Holbrook with 3:42 remaining. The Sea Gulls' extra point extended the lead to 21-12, which would stand as the final score.
Kean outgained Salisbury, 368-247, and held a 21-15 advantage in first downs. The Cougars also controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for 36:31 compared to Salisbury's 23:29. However, the Sea Gulls capitalized on their scoring opportunities to secure the road victory.
The Cougars close out the regular season on Friday evening at The College of New Jersey.
