Oct. 6, 2007

Final Stats

PHILADELPHIA, PA - La Salle Explorers (0-5, 0-1) had an interception returned for a touchdown 50 seconds into the game and trailed 35-0 before the end of the first quarter en route to a 56-3 defeat to Iona College (5-1, 1-0) on Saturday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium

 

The Gaels accumulated 340 yards of total offense but also scored touchdowns on a blocked punt and an 80-yard punt return and another  interception return on their way to their second straight win over the Explorers in the MAAC Football League opener for both teams.

 

The Explorers showed their youthful inexperience on offense, where they start a national-high seven freshmen, by being flagged for seven false start penalties.

 

Among the freshmen who started was quarterback Steve Panasuk (Toms River, NJ/New Egypt) who threw three interceptions and was 9 for 19 with just 52 yards before being relieved by fellow freshman Adam Agosti (Tamaqua, PA/Marian Catholic) who was 2 for 11 for 31 yards.

 

The Explorers lone score came on a 21-yard field goal by freshman Anthony Perlozzo (Ocean City, MD/Stephen Decatur) which capped a 14 play, 44 yard drive.  On the drive it appeared that Freshmen back Rayvon Williams (Ackokeek, MD/Archbishop McNamara) had made it into the end zone on third down but the score was called off on an illegal shift call - the eighth penalty of the game for the Explorers.

 

Iona's Dane Samuels rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown. Senior Rudy Arcara also found the end zone twice, including the recovery of the blocked punt.   Adam Lipski (20 yards) and Ed Loscalzo (48 yards) were responsible for the interception returns and Joe Garcia returned the Explorer punt 80 yards for a score with 1:40 to play in the first quarter.