NEWPORT, R.I. – Posting scores in each quarter, Salve Regina University bested UMass Dartmouth in the season opener for both teams. The Seahawks posted a 34-13 victory at Toppa Field on Saturday.
The home team capitalized just past the midway point of the opening quarter as Seahawks quarterback Thomas Fallon sent a throw to Jacoby Smith for a six-yard touchdown. UMass Dartmouth answered with 2:44 on the clock as sophomore kicker
Connor McManus drilled a 22-yard field goal through the uprights to close the gap to 6-3.
Into the second quarter, Salve Regina struck again as Fallon rifled the ball down field, finding Spencer Chapman for a 72-yard touchdown score and a 13-3 advantage for the home team at 13:34.
With 6:15 left in the frame, McManus continued to hit for the Corsairs, drilling a 37-yard shot through once again, closing the gap to 13-6. Despite the momentum, the Seahawks had the final word of the frame as Smith took the ball 87-yards on the kickoff return for the touchdown just 12 seconds later. In the closing minutes of the quarter, Salve attempted a field goal, but a decisive block on the attempt by junior defensive edge
Owen Dunker held the Seahawks off the board.
Out of the halftime with the home team owning a 20-6 lead, the Corsairs defense was tested once again. Salve capitalized on a six-yard pass from Fallon to Kyle Crampton to increase the margin to 27-6 at 5:04 of the frame. UMass Dartmouth finally found the endzone as sophomore quarterback
Daunte Melton found rookie wide receiver
Jayden Francois for a 46-yard pass, moving the score to 27-13.
Fourth quarter action saw the Seahawks add another score as Justan Luzzi rushed for 22-yards into the UMD endzone. The Corsairs tried work their way down the field as Melton found Francois down the field on a 12-yard gain, but the Seahawks defense held strong, forcing a 4th and 6 that the visitors could not convert.
Melton went 5-for-12 with 75 yards and a touchdown, while junior quarterback
JC Petrongolo was 9-for-21 with 60 yards in the air. Melton also rushed for 34 yards on six carries, including a long of 12. Junior running back
Mekhi Wilson paced the rushing game for UMass Dartmouth, carrying the ball 21 times with 81 yards. Rookie rusher
Luke Turco had three rushes for 27 yards.
In the air, Francois finished with two catches for 58 yards and a score, while senior wideout
Jael Cabrera had five catches for 30 yards. Junior
Naseim Harrison added three catches for 23 yards.
Defensively, junior defensive back
Eli Matthews led the way with eight solo tackles and two assisted for 10 total on the afternoon. Classmate and fellow defensive back
Kyle St. Laurent added five solo tackles and three assisted for eight, while senior linebacker
Lamar Beaton had seven tackles, including two solo.
On special teams, McManus punted five times for 157 yards, averaging 31.4 yards per punt. He also had four kickoffs for 196 yards to go along with his two field goals and his one PAT.
The Corsairs return to the field on Saturday, September 13 for their 2025 home opener on Cressy Field. UMass Dartmouth welcomes MASCAC-rival Fitchburg State for the Gold Rush game. Action kicks-off at 4:00pm.
