Seahawks host Bison in return from bye week

• LAST TIME OUT FOR SRU: Senior running back Sam Pascale gained 225 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns to lead Salve Regina over Curry College at Walter M.Katz Field in New England Football Conference (NEFC) action. The Seahawks got the scoring started when James Dawson finished off an eight-play, 75 yard drive with a six-yard run to make the score 7-0. Salve would add to their lead with 5:59 remaining in the first quarter when Andrew Verre tacked on a 22-yard field goal to increase the Salve lead to 10. After a safety, the Seahawks would add two scores to increase their lead to 26 on their way to a 47-14 victory.

• THE SERIES: This is the 24th meeting between the two teams. The Seahawks own a 14-9 record in the all-time series and have won six straight over the Bison. Last season the Seahawks rushed for 392 yards and compiled 569 yards of total offense in a 35-6 victory. Salve Regina broke the game open in the fourth with a pair of touchdowns in the opening 2:40, highlighted by a 54-yard touchdown run by James Dawson that pushed its lead to 28-6.

• KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR SRU: The offensive line has been the driving force behind the  Seahawks' nationally ranked rushing offense. The Seahawks are the fourth best rushing team in the country, grinding out 334 yards per game on the ground while not allowing a sack so far this season. The Seahawks are also tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the nation, having scored 20 rushing touchdowns.

• LAST TIME OUT FOR NICHOLS: Freshman Tony Martignoli caught three touchdown passes for the Nichols College football team, which was defeated by Western New England University 56-27 in New England Football Conference (NEFC) action on Homecoming Weekend Saturday afternoon at Vendetti Field.

Nichols freshman Chris Mullins threw for a career-high 268 yards and four touchdowns while sophomore Brenden Massey caught a game-high eight passes for 117 yards and his second touchdown of the season.

• KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR NICHOLS: Freshman quarterback Chris Mullins has completed 93 passes for 1,153 yards and seven touchdowns in his first five collegiate games. His 93 completions on the season are the most in the NEFC and he ranks second for yards per game (230.6).

• WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Bison will try to snap a 24-game losing streak against NEFC opponents. The last conference win for the Bison was a 26-16 victory over UMass Dartmouth on October 13, 2012 as part of the NEFC Boyd Division.

• HOME COOKING: The Seahawks have won 17 in a row over NEFC opponents at home and have won their last eleven home games overall, and 23 of their last 25 in Middletown, R.I. The final game of 2013 (a 48-35 loss to Western Conn. St. in ECAC Bowl Championship) and the first game of 2014 (a 7-6 setback to Montclair St.) were the last two defeats for Salve Regina at home. 

• NATIONAL RANKINGS: The Seahawks rank 4th in Rushing Offense (334 yards per game); 10th in Scoring (45.8 points per game); 5th in Total Defense (213.8 yards per game allowed); 2nd in Rushing Defense (24 yards per game rushing allowed); 11th in Scoring Defense (11.5 points per game allowed)

• LOVE YOUR MELON: Love Your Melon is an apparel brand dedicated to giving a hat to every child battling cancer in America as well as supporting nonprofit organizations who lead the fight against pediatric cancer. To date, Love Your Melon has donated over 75,000 hats to children battling cancer and over 1.1 million dollars to cancer research.  Salve Regina's Love Your Melon campus crew spreads awareness for pediatric cancer and Love Your Melon by raising money, hosting donation events for children and families in need, and being involved with the students on campus. Salve Regina's Love Your Melon Campus Crew will be supporting Salve Football on October 15. Helping to spread awareness of their mission, and more specifically awareness for pediatric cancer. Be sure to stop by their table at the game and see what they are all about.