Box Score 

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (4-6, 3-6 NJAC) scored 27 straight points to end the game and overcome a 20-7 deficit, defeating visiting Western Connecticut (2-8, 2-7 NJAC) 34-20 Nov. 15. The contest at Wightman Stadium marked Senior Day for the Pioneers, as well as the season finale for both teams.

The Colonials jumped out to a 13-point lead with 1:01 to play in the first quarter, and that score held up until halftime. The Pioneers got the offense moving during their second possession of the second half, a seven-play, 49-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Matt Marshall (6-3, 195, Burlington, N.J./Burlington City) to running back Marcus McKinney (5-11, 220, Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy). Freshman Dom Busto (5-7, 170, Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes) added the extra point, making it a 20-14 game with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter.

William Paterson took its first lead of the contest with 4:55 to play. A Chris Thomas (5-10, 185, West Milford, N.J./West Milford) interception, his second of the year, and 20-yard return put William Paterson in excellent field position, starting a drive at its own 41-yard line. Nine plays later, on fourth-and-three from the WCSU-19, Marshall found junior wide receiver Joel Rivera (6-1, 190, Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) for a 14-yard completion to keep the Pioneers' hopes alive. McKinney later reached across the goal line, a one-yard carry that, coupled with a Patrick Martincavage (5-11, 180, Boyton Beach, Fla./Boca Raton Community) extra point, pushed the Pioneers ahead 21-20.

The Colonials were threatening to march back down the field, but on fourth-and-two from the Western Connecticut 25-yard line, Thomas timed his hit on receiver Allan Bowen perfectly, separating the ball and giving possession back to the Pioneers.

Having already used all three timeouts, on his second carry WestConn allowed McKinney to run freely between the tackles and straight ahead for a touchdown (28-20, 1:06) in an effort to get the ball back with enough time to engineer a drive. The Colonials were able to get inside the WP 45-yard line, but after a completion to Keith Rosedom, Rosedom tossed a lateral back to Steve Griffin, who tried to toss it backwards to another teammate. Instead, sophomore defensive lineman Dyon Moore (6-2, 260, Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic) intercepted the lateral and rumbled 60 yards for his second defensive touchdown of the season, finishing the scoring as time expired.

Marshall completed 19 of 38 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown, while senior running back Shaun Puluse (5-10, 210, Haledon, N.J./Passaic Tech) carried 15 times for 63 yards and a score, and caught an 11-yard pass. McKinney added 42 yards and two touchdowns on 11 rushing attempts, as well as two catches for 12 yards and a TD.

Rivera caught eight passes for 84 yards, finishing the year just 35 yards short of becoming the Pioneers' first 1,000 yard receiver (965). Junior Derrik Rideg (5-10, 213, Rochelle Park, N.J./Paramus Catholic) added five receptions for 38 yards.

Moore made a game-high 12 tackles (three solo, 2.0 TFL, 0.5 sack), adding a forced fumble as well as the 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Senior linebacker Mike Lamego (6-1, 235, North Arlington, N.J./Queen of Peace) made nine stops (four solo) and recovered a fumble, junior linebacker Jared Burke (6-1, 220, Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Egg Harbor Twp.) had eight tackles (three solo), and Thomas and sophomore defensive back Leer Biddle (5-10, 195, Sicklerville, N.J./Lenape) each added an interception.

For Western Connecticut, junior quarterback James Williams was 25-for-49 for 235 yards and a score. He added a team-best 34 yards rushing, including a one-yard touchdown. Sophomore Wayne Neal added 33 yards on 12 carries, Rosedom caught seven passes for 52 yards, and Bowen gained 53 yards on six catches, including a 16-yard TD.

Junior linebacker Angelo Mancini and senior linebacker Chad Milling led the Colonial defense with 10 tackles each. Sophomore Dean Hancock and senior Mike Negast each had an interception for WestConn.

Western Connecticut got on the scoreboard on the game's very first play, an 88-yard Josh Aviles kickoff return. Neal's rush was good for two points, making it an 8-0 score 12 seconds into the contest.

Williams connected with Bowen for a 16-yard TD pass four minutes later, and after the two-point conversion failed, the Colonials owned a 14-0 edge.

Puluse answered for the Pioneers during the ensuing possession, starting left and cutting back right for a 23-yard rushing TD (14-7, 8:53).

Williams' 38-yard completion to Bobby Rathbun set up Williams for a one-yard touchdown run, the final first-half score for either team (20-7, 1:01 first quarter).

Prior to the game, William Paterson honored its nine seniors -- offensive lineman Jeffrey Arista (6-2, 295, Paterson, N.J./Passaic Tech), defensive back Dion Benjamin (6-0, 200, North Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield), Lamego, defensive lineman Nick Martinez (6-0, 235, North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen), defensive back Wilson Medina (6-0, 190, West New York, N.J./Memorial), offensive lineman Lew Porchiazzo (5-9, 245, Colonia, N.J./Colonia), Puluse, wide receiver/punter Victor Soares (6-3, 190, Paterson, N.J./Monmouth Regional), and defensive back Corey Stanton (6-0, 200, Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park).