Albany State falls to Catawba in first round of Div. II playoffs

SALISBURY, N.C. - Brad Roach set a school record with five touchdown passes as Catawba rolled up a 66-35 victory over Albany State Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.<br /> <br /> The Indians (11-1) advance to a second-round meeting with Valdosta State, the top-seeded team in the Southeast Region. Valdosta State had a bye into the second round.<br /> <br /> Roach hit on 18-of-34 passes for 340 yards. Brent Johnson caught nine passes for 155 yards and three scores. Antwan Strong caught five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.<br /> <br /> Albany State (8-3) rallied from a 21-7 deficit to tie the score midway through the second quarter. Roach hit Johnson on a 14-yard scoring pass with 11 seconds left before the half to break the tie. The second half started with three touchdowns scored in a minute and a half.<br /> <br /> After Cory Darnell's 31-yard field goal at 11:16 extended Catawba's lead, Brian Porter took the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown for the Golden Rams for a 31-28 deficit. Two plays later, Roach would find Strong for a 63-yard score, and two plays later, Ron Ellington returned a fumble 15 yards for a 45-28 lead with 9:44 to go in the third quarter.