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| The seventh career start for SyRus McGowan will come in the Division III national quarterfinals, against 13-time champion Mount Union. Photo by Mike Atherton, d3photography.com |
By Joe Sager
D3sports.com
A typical seagull is known for flying.
Salisbury’s Sea Gulls are doing their damage on the ground.
A productive running game has propelled Salisbury into the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2019. The team, which runs variations on the triple option as its base offense, ranks second in the country at 335.5 rushing yards per game..
Directing traffic is freshman quarterback SyRus McGowan, who ascended to the top spot under center on Oct. 26 in a 42-35 win over Rowan. Since then, he’s helped the No. 8 Sea Gulls (12-0) win a pair of playoff games to set up Saturday’s home showdown with No. 5 Mount Union (12-0).
“We feel blessed to have the opportunity to play football in December,” he said. “There are only eight teams left still playing at the D-III level and we’re happy to be one of them. We can’t wait to go out for our next opportunity.”
Seizing opportunity is something McGowan knows well. A 2022 product of Queen Anne’s County High School in Maryland, he first attended Lincoln University, a D-II school, where he redshirted his first year. He left the program and took a year off before coming to Salisbury. Steadily, he worked his way up the depth chart and overtook senior Gage Katzenell-Hall for the starting quarterback job.
He tallied 1,106 total yards with 14 total touchdowns in just six games to close the regular season. Through the air, McGowan threw for 740 and nine touchdowns while rushing for five touchdowns and 366 yards. He earned five consecutive NJAC Rookie of the Week honors and was named the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“He’s just level-headed. I do remember having a chance to meet SyRus for the first time and he had that same look on his face from Day 1 – a serious, focused look,” Salisbury coach Sherman Wood said. “He proved that throughout the season. When his name was called, he was ready. He is a team guy. Before he was playing, he was still one of those guys rooting people on and supporting folks. He is from a good program and a good community. He was just ready – just like we want someone to be ready. He was prepared. That’s the biggest piece.
“I don’t know if the word is ‘growth’ to describe it, but his teammates have been supportive. That’s more of a confidence-builder than anything, knowing your teammates are behind you, including Gage,” he continued. “We’re all still learning and trying to get through this thing, but the support of his teammates and them rallying behind him is crucial.”
McGowan settled in quickly while leading Salisbury’s run-heavy attack.
“It was definitely a little adjustment running an offense that I hadn’t really run before, but football is just football. It comes really natural,” he said. “I just go through my reads and, over time, things have slowed down a bit.”
One thing that hasn’t slowed down is McGowan, a 6-2, 220-pounder who has rushed for 464 and eight scores, so far.
“That goes to my teammates having faith in me and me having faith in them. I’ve been able to put myself in a position to be athlete and understand the offense and what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said.
He’s a proven passer, too. He’s thrown for 965 yards and 12 scores.
“There’s not really a side, running or throwing, that I favor – I just love football,” he said. “However I can help the team is best, whether that’s dishing the ball out or keeping the ball. I just love it.”
McGowan doesn’t have to do it all by himself, though. The Sea Gulls have plenty of playmakers all over the field.
“We have a host of athletes who can go out there and do what they need to do,” he said. “The offensive line makes it really easy for us, too. They get a lot of push up front and all we have to do is follow behind them and hit the holes.”
One of the team’s other playmakers is senior running back Ronald Clark. He leads the team with 991 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
“I think we have to give a lot of credit to our line, guys like Tony Mason, Dusty Krotee and Tre Price. They blow people up. It’s pretty easy to see a hole when it’s wide open,” he said. “A lot of us hold each other accountable. We’re a family. We get on each other. We make each other better.”
The players stress that the team’s closeness has been a key to success.
“My goal when I first got here was to create a bond with everyone before we played together. I wanted to get to know them as individuals before we got the pads on. They trust me and I trust them,” McGowan said. “I think our abilities have always been there. The bond this team has right now is crazy. We’ve all been coming together. It’s a real family. We want to see our brothers win, no matter who is doing what. It’s helping our play drastically.”
Salisbury is confident in McGowan’s progress.
“It wasn’t even growth – it was just him getting comfortable; he’s always had that poise,” Clark said. “Gage has been big in supporting him and helping him grow with the offense, too. So, the key for this week is just playing as a team and playing for your brother.”
The Sea Gulls are just doing their best to enjoy the moment, while also working hard to keep playing.
“The main goal is to keep it fun. Winning definitely helps with that, don’t get me wrong,” McGowan said. “We’re focusing on the task at hand and we keep getting better each day. We make sure we’re having fun, but still putting in the work.
“It’s a blessing to still be playing,” Clark added. “I am very happy, but I am still hungry. We’re not satisfied with anything we’ve done yet.”