Junior quarterback Ron Sermarini completed 20 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown and ran for two other scores as Western Maryland won a nonconference game over visiting Bridgewater, 56-24, yesterday.

Sermarini, last season's Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year, set a school record for completion percentage in a game in leading the Green Terror to a single-game school record for points.

Western Maryland took a 20-10 lead on Sermarini's 10-yard touchdown pass to Teron Powell with one second left in the first half.

Then sophomore receiver Mike Starke (seven catches for 96 yards) scored on a 43-yard halfback option play that started the Green Terror on its way to 29 consecutive points.

Salisbury State 38, Ursinus 14: Matt Main threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns on 11-for-23 passing in leading the host Sea Gulls to a nonconference win over Ursinus in the season opener for both schools.

With the Sea Gulls ahead, 3-0, Main connected with Ryan Lambert and Brian Doyle on second-quarter scoring passes that extended Salisbury's lead to 17-0 at halftime.

Myron Dent's 73-yard touchdown run early in the third period pushed Salisbury's lead to 24-0 before the Bears answered with two touchdowns to get within 24-14.

The Sea Gulls' Tony Hill ended any suspense with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

Salisbury held Ursinus to only 65 yards rushing and totaled eight sacks.

Bowie State 41, Cheyney 0: Ryan Pigford ran for 151 yards on 28 carries and scored two touchdowns as the visiting Bulldogs rolled to the win in their season-opener.

Bowie broke open a 6-0 halftime game with 22 points in the third quarter. Roderick Williams' 15-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown started the Bulldogs' run, which culminated with Pigford's 34-yard touchdown run.

The Bulldogs finished with 235 total yards to Cheyney's 73. Cheyney also managed just four first downs.

Pub Date: 9/06/98