OWINGS MILLS, MD – Matt Welsey threw for three touchdowns and ran for another while the defense totaled three interceptions including one for a score as Rowan gave new head coach Pat Ruley his first career win, 35-16, at Stevenson Thursday night in the season opener.

Welsey was 18-of-28 for 250 yards in the air with an interception and added 47 yards on the ground. Mwanza Fitzpatrick had team highs of six catches for 78 yards while Luke Hoke added four grabs for 72 yards and two scores and Michael Zarfati (five receptions for 76 yards) also found the end zone.

Carter Williams was one of three Profs with a pick, as his 32-yard return for a touchdown in the first quarter helped the visitors get out to a 14-0 lead.

Ruley, a standout for the Profs from 2009 to 2012, came back to his alma mater after spending the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator at Susquehanna.

Rowan's shook off its first two drives, getting a Stevenson mishap on a fourth-down punt to put the Profs at the 15-yard line. Two plays later, Welsey, who came off the bench to start the offensive series, ran it up the middle to give Rowan a 7-0 lead late in the quarter. Four plays into Stevenson's ensuing drive, Williams snared a screen pass attempt at the line of scrimmage and rumbled 32 yards for the defensive score.

The Mustangs cut into the lead early in the second when Landon Winterbottom found Deion Richardson for a 10-yard touchdown. Rowan answered with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Welsey hooking up with Hoke on a three-yard score on a 3rd and goal play.

The defense, who limited Stevenson to 101 yards in the first half, came up with a four and out to give the ball back to the offense with 4:53 remaining in the quarter. Welsey, who kept the drive alive with a first-down scramble on a fourth and four at midfield, later hit Zarfati for 27 yards with only 26 seconds before half, helping the Profs to a 28-7 edge at the break.

Welsey found Hoke for a 61-yard TD on Rowan's first possession of the third. Richardson would catch his second TD of the night in the fourth as the Mustangs added a safety to account for the final tally.

Nick Cerulli posted five tackles, one for a loss, and a sack for Rowan. Jason Blanks (two tackles) and Eric Bryant (two pass breakups) snared the other two interceptions respectively. Chris Rodgers added four stops, two for losses while newcomer Anthony Henriquez added a sack.

Clarence Travis paced Stevenson with 11 tackles (10 solo). Offensively, Richardson totaled seven catches for 161 yards.

Rowan outgained the Mustangs, 411-249, while yielding the home team to just 36 rushing yards.

The Profs will host McDaniel on Saturday, September 14th in the home opener, kicking off from Richard Wackar Stadium at 1 p.m.