Box Score MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (Nov. 6) – Junior Michael Dargan scampered in from 13 yards out late in the second quarter to help the Salve Regina University football team post its first winning season in a decade with a 6-0 win over Nichols College in New England Football Conference (NEFC) action Saturday afternoon at Gaudet Field.

Senior Rob LaRiviere-Tougas racked up 125 yards on the ground for the Seahawks, who finished with a 6-4 record and a 5-2 mark in the NEFC, both of which mark the school's highest win totals since the 2000 campaign. The Bison, meanwhile, fell to the Seahawks for the second time in three years and finish with a 1-9 record (1-6 NEFC).

Meanwhile, the Bison defense held the Seahawks to only 146 total yards of offense and allowed the Seahawks to convert of only four of their 14 third-down situations. However, Nichols turned the ball over three times, the first of which led to the game's only points.

Facing a third-and-seven from their own 10-yard line, Nichols senior quarterback Justin Nelson (Oceanside, Calif.) rushed up the middle and was stripped by junior Carlos Santos at the line of scrimmage. Junior Jeff Bartek pounced on the loose ball, setting up first-and-10 Seahawks from the Nichols 13-yard line. On the next play, Dargan came around on a reverse and raced into the left corner of the endzone to give the Seahawks the only points they would need.

Nichols wasn't without scoring opportunities on the afternoon. They put together a 14-play, 79-drive to start the second quarter that resulted in a missed field goal from 35 yards out. In the third, the Bison took their second possession of the half and marched all the way down the SRU four-yard line in 10 plays, but saw sophomore Cody Jankins' (West Brookfield, Mass.) 21-yard field goal attempt blocked by sophomore William Regan. After that, the Bison never got inside the Seahawks 40-yard line.

Junior Shane Lange – who entered the game second in the nation in sacks – was held without one but managed seven tackles on the afternoon (five solo), including one for loss, for the Seahawks. Classmate A.J. Albert matched Lange with seven tackles of his own and 1.5 tackles for loss while senior C.J. Hein and sophomore Ryan Mannion each recoded an interception, giving the Seahawks a +14 in turnover margin to end the season. They entered the game leading the NEFC with a +11.

Senior linebacker Evan Greathead (Pepperell, Mass.) led the Bison with a game-high 15 tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss. Junior defensive end Mike Mainero (Bridgeport, Conn.) notched a game-high four sacks and finished the afternoon with seven tackles. Offensively, junior Mathew Bryson (Pawtucket, R.I.) rushed for 58 yards on 16 carries while Nelson tallied 42 yards on the ground.

Through the air, Nelson finished 13-of-22 for 72 yards and one interception. Freshman Cory Crownover (Port St.Lucie, Fla.) was credited with the second pick of the day for the Bison as he took the second part of a double reverse and chucked a pass down the right sideline that Mannion snared on the opening drive of the second half.

Story courtesy Salve Regina Sports Information

Box Score