Rowan football lost to their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rivals Salisbury on Saturday afternoon, 31-28, at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. Their loss to the undefeated No. 4-nationally ranked Seagulls dwindles the Profs’ chance of an NCAA playoff berth, after they lost to conference opponent Christopher Newport earlier in the season.

The Profs are now 4-2-1 overall and fourth in the NJAC with a 2-2 conference record. Their losing streak against the Seagulls also extends to eight straight games, dating back to the 2017 season.

“If I got to be honest, I don’t know how to feel,” defensive lineman Giani Derameaux said. “It’s tough.”

Rowan held Salisbury to a season-low 28 points and 164 rushing yards, but costly turnovers prevented them from pulling off the upset.

The first turnover came in the red zone with just under two minutes left in the third quarter. The Profs trailed, 21-14, when quarterback Nate Maiers fumbled the shotgun snap on the five-yard line.

Profs defensive back Jaden Everett immediately got one back with a pick-six. The freshman intercepted Seagulls quarterback SyRus McGowan’s pass and ran into the end zone for his first career score.

Rowan’s defense forced Salisbury into a three-and-out to bring the third quarter to a close. Momentum was starting to trend in Rowan’s direction, and another score would give them their first lead since the game was 7-0.

On Salisbury’s punt to open the fourth quarter, Rowan’s turnover problem struck again.

Receiver Shane Martin dropped the ball that was recovered by Ryan Salvosa to give the Seagulls possession on Rowan’s 32-yard line. A few plays later, running back Darrell Walter scored on a 14-yard touchdown run to give Salisbury the lead.

“It’s a tight one, and in big games like that it’s going to come down to a couple of plays,” head coach Pat Ruley said. “It’s going to go one way or the other. Somebody’s got to lose them.”

Salisbury extended their lead to, 31-21, with a 25-yard field goal from Tucker Smack. In the drive that followed, Maiers was able to lead the offense downfield for another successful scoring drive. He found running back Nunes Bukula IV for a 14-yard score with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter. 

Rowan attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Salisbury, but two unsportsmanlike conduct calls pushed Salisbury back to their own 29-yard line. The Profs’ defense played locked down and forced the Seagulls into a 4th and 26 scenario with 1:53 left.

McGowan initially ran with the ball before shovel passing it to Mason Fisher, who escaped for a 53-yard gain to end Rowan’s comeback hopes. 

“We already know we can compete with these teams,” Derameaux said. “We gotta start winning now.”

Rowan will travel to Ewing, New Jersey., next week to face The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) on Saturday in another NJAC matchup. The Lions are third in the conference standings with a 3-1 NJAC record, and the Profs will need to finish out their season strong in order to keep their chances of a playoff berth alive.

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