Game Notes (PDF) 

William Paterson (1-2, 0-2 NJAC) will begin a two-game road swing Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Pioneers visit Montclair State (2-1, 2-0 NJAC). Kickoff for MSU's Homecoming at Sprague Field will be at 6:00 p.m.

Scouting the Pioneers
William Paterson is 1-2 overall and 0-2 in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play following a 28-13 home loss to Rowan (2-1, 1-1 NJAC) Sept. 26. 

Senior Matt Marshall (Burlington, N.J./Burlington City), who tossed a school-record 20 touchdown passes a year ago, is 61-for-97 for 653 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He ranks fifth in passing yardage (217.7 yards/game) and seventh in total offense (217.7 yards/game) in the conference. 

Sophomore Marcus McKinney (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) has gained 289 yards on 75 carries (3.9 yards/attempt) to lead the ground game, including a school-record 35 attempts at King's Sept. 19. His 96.3 rushing yards per game lead the NJAC, and his 102.3 all-purpose yards per contest rank sixth. Classmate Corey Paladino (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) has rushed 20 times for 72 yards and one touchdown. 

Senior Joel Rivera (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken), who established new Pioneer records with his 74 receptions for 965 yards to earn 2008 first-team all-NJAC and second-team all-region accolades, currently has 15 catches for 208 yards and two TDs. He currently is tied with Lance Sisco (1975-78) for the WP career touchdown receptions record with 16. Junior fullback Derrik Rideg (Rochelle Park, N.J./Paramus Catholic), who was an honorable-mention all-league selection after catching 19 passes for 189 yards a year ago, currently has 15 receptions for 110 yards. Senior Chris Schule (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) has added 12 catches for 163 yards and two scores. Rivera and Rideg are tied for third in the NJAC stats in receptions/game (5.0), and Rivera also is sixth in receiving yards/game (69.3). 

Junior linebacker Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) paces William Paterson with 30 tackles (13 solo), or 10.0 per game to rank tied for second in the conference statistics. Senior defensive end Keith Sayball (Milford, Conn./Foran) has 21 stops (nine solo, 2.5 TFL). A second-team all-conference honoree last fall, junior defensive end Dyon Moore (Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic) has made 20 tackles (nine solo, 3.5 TFL) and forced a fumble, while 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) has 18 stops (three solo, 1.5 TFL) as well as an interception and a fumble recovery. 

Freshman placekicker Ryan Brzycki (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic) is 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and 4-for-5 on PATs, while freshman running back/punter Dan DeCicco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) has averaged 36.1 yards/punt. Senior defensive back Chris Thomas (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), who has seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble, is second in the NJAC in punt return average (10.4 yards/return). 

William Paterson returned nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters, including seven all-conference selections, from a 2008 team that compiled a 4-6 overall record and a 3-6 mark in NJAC play. The Pioneers were picked to finish seventh in the 2009 NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Scouting the Red Hawks
Montclair State is 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) following a 41-39 victory at Brockport (2-1, 1-1 NJAC) Sept. 26. 

Sophomore Tom Fischer, the current NJAC Offensive Player of the Week, is 52-for-92 for 724 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions under center. Senior Jeff Bliss leads the Montclair State ground game with 52 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Dan Keegan has caught 13 passes for 236 yards and two scores, while senior A.J. Letizia has 13 receptions for 198 yards. 

Senior defensive lineman Chris Merkle is the Red Hawks' leading tackler with 24 stops (12 solo, 6.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks), adding a fumble recovery. Senior defensive back Jesse Shenker has 23 tackles (six solo), a fumble forced and an interception, while sophomore defensive back Ed Kirschenbaum has added 22 stops (eight solo) and a blocked kick. 

Montclair State was 8-3 overall and 7-2 in NJAC competition a year ago, losing 42-14 to Albright in the ECAC Playoffs. The Red Hawks were picked to finish third in the 2009 NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll.