Conshohocken, Pa. – (9/13/2019) – Chestnut Hill College welcomed Post University to A.A. Garthwaite Stadium for tonight's Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) season opener. An early Griffin miscue gave the Eagles a 6-0 edge, but some solid ground gains and a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Domoree Hill (Bethlehem, Pa.) evened the score at the end of the first quarter. Griffins the momentum needed to come away with a 19-6 victory. senior quarterback Michael Marino (Blue Bell, Pa.) also found junior wide receiver Akeem Browne (Elkins Park, Pa.) for a touchdown just before halftime (12-6, 1:26 2QTR) before adding the Griffins' third touchdown with a third-quarter keeper.
 
A bad snap on a fourth-and-13 gave Post University (0-1) excellent field position for the game's opening tally (6-0, 8:52). But the Scarlet and Gold answered back on their ensuing drive, building off a good first-down run from senior running back Sef Penson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to complete a four-minute (4:27) drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Marino to Hill (6-6, 4:19). After allowing four straight completions from sophomore quarterback Nick D'Elia (Watertown, Conn.), the Chestnut Hill College (1-0) defense came up with a big stop to deny the Eagles at the end of the first quarter. The 6-6 stalemate ended with 1:26 remaining in the first half as an interception and return of 44 yards from senior defensive lineman Marcel Mitchell (Mays Landing, N.J.) gave the Griffins the ball at the Eagles' 20-yard line. From there, Marino only needed one play to find Browne in the endzone, 12-6 (1:26).
 
Chestnut Hill College capitalized on a fumble recovery by senior strong safety Ryan Jakeman (Cheltenham, Pa.) and extended their lead midway through the third quarter (19-6, 8:21), when Marino cashed in on a six-play drive with a one-yard plunge. The Griffin defense took care of the rest, briefly allowing the Eagles across midfield late in the fourth quarter (5:57) and limiting D'Elia to a 5-of-13 effort in the closing five minutes.
 
The Griffins rendered the Post University rushing game useless, leaving D'Elia to 134 yards passing on 19-of-43 (44.2%) passing. Jakeman captained the Scarlet and Gold's defensive effort with six tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a block.
 
Penson led the Scarlet and Gold ground game with 76 yards on 25 carries (3.04 yards/carry). In addition to scoring Chestnut Hill College's only rushing touchdown, Marino finished 11-of-22 (50.0%) with 115 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Hill caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, while Browne made three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Chestnut Hill College travels to Mansfield University for Week Two of the CSFL season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21.