Samuels, Gaels Run Past Skyhawks, 30-10
North Easton, Mass. - There is an old saying that says, "there are lies, there are damn lies and then there are statistics." In Iona's 30-10 win over Stonehill, the statistics didn't lie.
The Gaels racked up 494 yards of total offense, opened up a 16 point lead and never looked back, sending the Skyhawks to their first defeat of the 2007 season in front of a soldout crowd of 2,400 spectators at W.B. Mason Stadium on Saturday night.
Iona's Dane Samuel ran for 198 yards on 24 carries, including scoring plays of five and 79 yards to lead a Gael offense that produced 323 yards on the ground.
After putting together a nine-play, 50 yard drive, the Gaels were forced to kick a field goal with 8:42 left in the first quarter, ending the Skyhawks' stretch of not allowing any first half points.
Iona would add six more on a bizarre play that saw Samuels stripped at the two yard line by Clark Leger (Waltham, Mass.). The ball rolled into the endzone and was recovered by Gael lineman Rob Valletti for a touchdown. Chris Lofrese's point after try was blocked by Chris Palmer (Santa Barbara, Calif.), who also had seven tackles and a one for loss in the game.
The score remained at 9-0 to start the third quarter, but a 61-yard second half kickoff return by Iona's Daron Ellis put the Gaels deep into Stonehill territory. Quarterback Nick Rosetti, who was 15-of-20 for 171 yards, wasted little time cashing in the great field position, hooking up with DeMarcus White for a 28 yard score on the very next play, upping Iona's lead to 16-0.
Stonehill responded after getting the ball at its own 45 yard line after a Dana Burris (Boston, Mass.) kickoff return. After picking up two first downs, Cruz Parsons (Signal Hill, Calif.) connected with David Pringle for a 35 yard touchdown reception.
Momentum stayed with Stonehill when Rosetti was picked off attempting a shovel pass by freshman Brenden Taylor (Stoughton, Mass.), but the Skyhawks couldn't take advantage going three and out on their next series.
Iona then embarked on an 11-play, 65 yard drive that chewed up 6:24 of game time and was capped by Samuels' five yard touchdown run.
After failing to convert a first and goal from the eight yard line, Stonehill settled for a 37-yard field goal from Sean Donahue (Plymouth, N.H.), to close the gap to 23-10.
Neither team produced much on their next series' but when the Gaels got the ball back, Samuels found a hole off to the left, then darted up the middle for the 79 yard scoring run, ending the Skyhawks season opening win streak at three games.
Mike DeBye (Burlington, Mass.) had a game-high 14 tackles for Stonehill, including nine solo stops, while Jared Zanello (Walpole, Mass.) added nine stops of his own.
Samuels meanwhile, racked up 248 all-purpose yards and White had seven catches for 120 yards for the Gaels, who improve to 4-1.
Pringle led the Skyhawks with 2 catches for 46 yards and Jeff Payne (West Haven, Conn.) led the way with 43 yards on the ground.
Stonehill, now 3-1, plays host to St. Anselm next Saturday at 1 p.m. as it returns to Northeast-10 play.