Box Score

CORTLAND, N.Y. (SEPTEMBER 30, 2006) – William Paterson (0-4, 0-1 NJAC) forced an early 14-14 tie but could not pull ahead, eventually losing to No. 10 Cortland (4-0, 2-0 NJAC) 30-14 in the Pioneers' New Jersey Athletic Conference football opener Sept. 30 in Cortland.

The two teams showcased their offenses during the first half, combining for 392 yards of total offense. The Red Dragons struck first, completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to finish their first drive of the game (7-0, 6:12). But, WPU had an immediate answer, as junior Calvin Johnson (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) raced through the line and up the sideline, scoring from 64 yards out on the Pioneers' second offensive play of the game to even the score at 7-7 (4:57).

An Alex Smith 16-yard run gave Cortland a 14-7 edge with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter, but again William Paterson came up with a big play to tie the game. Dan Casasnovas (Belleville, N.J./Passaic Valley) broke through the line deep in Red Dragon territory and blocked a punt attempt, senior Shadee Davis (New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick) tracked the spinning ball down in the end zone for the touchdown, and junior Ricky Krautman (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) tacked on the extra point, making it a 14-14 game with 7:38 to play in the first half.

Cortland, ranked 10th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Poll, scored 13 unanswered points in the half's final seven minutes to jump ahead 27-14. A 64-yard catch and run (21-14, 6:58) was followed by two field goals of 31 (24-14, 2:41) and 20 (27-14, 0:00) yards. Harold Green made a touchdown-saving tackle, jarring the ball loose from a Cortland receiver in the end zone and forcing the first field-goal attempt.

Following a scoring barrage in the first half, the only second-half points scored were the result of a Red Dragon 38-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter (7:06).

Johnson led the WPU offensive effort, rushing 13 times for 121 yards and one touchdown. It marked his second straight 100-yard rushing effort. Mike Vicci (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) added 30 yards on seven carries, while Kareen Moon (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan B. Wagner) led the WPU receivers with his acrobatic 41-yard catch late in the first quarter. Juan Garcia (Jersey City, N.J./Ferris) and John Woodson (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) shared the quarterback responsibilities for the Pioneers.

Green led the William Paterson defense with his team-best 10 tackles (nine solo, one assisted) and three pass break ups. Todd Gorski (Howell, N.J./Freehold Twp.), Frank Musolino (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) and Mike Lamego (North Arlington, N.J./Queen of Peace) each contributed seven tackles, and Davis added six stops, a sack and the recovered blocked punt for a touchdown.