Game Notes (PDF) 

William Paterson (0-0, 0-0 NJAC) will kick off the 2009 season with a home contest against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe Brockport (0-0, 0-0 NJAC). In the only previous meeting between the two schools, the host Golden Eagles secured a 26-20 double-overtime victory against the Pioneers during the 2008 season opener (Sept. 6). The game will be carried live on WP Radio 88.7 (http://www.wpradio887.org) and a delayed video stream will be available via RLSS Media Solutions (http://www.rlsmedia.com).

Scouting the Pioneers
William Paterson returns nine offensive starters and eight 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. 

Senior Matt Marshall (Burlington, N.J./Burlington City) tossed a school-record 20 touchdown passes a year ago while completing 185 of 330 attempts for 2,048 yards. Classmate Joel Rivera (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) was his primary target, establishing new Pioneer records with his 74 receptions for 965 yards, adding seven TDs to earn first-team all-NJAC and second-team all-region accolades. Senior flanker Bruce Katkowski (Saddle Brook, N.J./Paramus Catholic) returns after recovering from an injury that cut short his 2008 season (10 receptions, 113 yards), while classmate Chris Schule (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) will be in his fourth season as the starting tight end after compiling career numbers of 22 receptions, 278 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Pioneers' leading returning rusher is Marcus McKinney (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy), who gained 296 yards on 65 attempts (4.6 yards/rush) as a freshman reserve. He will be joined in the backfield by 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 as a first-year Pioneer. 

The William Paterson offensive line features four returning starters, a group highlighted by honorable-mention all-NJAC tackle Saul Garcia (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen). 

All three defensive line starters return for the Pioneers, including second-team all-conference honoree Dyon Moore (Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic), who led the Pioneers as a sophomore with 66 tackles, 14.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks, four fumbles forced and four fumbles recovered. 

Twice selected to the All-NJAC Second Team, senior Jared Burke (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Egg Harbor Twp.) has compiled career numbers of 185 tackles (23.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks) and two fumble recoveries while starting in 21 of 26 games. He will help to anchor the linebackers, while 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) is expected to start at the bandit position a year after collecting 37 tackles, including four for a loss, and four pass break-ups. 

Junior cornerback Leer Biddle (Sicklerville, N.J./Lenape) rounded out the Pioneers' defensive second-team all-league picks a year ago after posting 40 tackles (35 solo) and five interceptions. 

William Paterson expects a pair of freshmen, placekicker Ryan Brzycki (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic) and running back/punter Dan DeCicco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), to handle the Pioneers' kicking duties.

Scouting the Golden Eagles
The College at Brockport was 7-4 overall and 6-3 in league play during the Golden Eagles' first year of NJAC membership in 2008. Brockport capped the campaign with a 70-68 win at Hartwick in the ECAC Northwest Bowl. The Eagles were picked to finish fifth in the 2009 NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll. 

Senior Jake Graci is expected to start under center after completing 21 of 39 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown during the 2007 season. Classmate Aaron Zurn is the anticipated starter at running back, carrying a total of 26 times for 89 yards during the last two campaigns. Senior Felipe Diaz was Brockport's leading receiver a year ago, catching 64 passes for 772 yards and nine touchdowns to earn second-team all-NJAC laurels. Senior Bobby Bradtke, a member of the 2008 All-NJAC Honorable Mention Team, will anchor the offensive line as the starting left tackle. 

Junior linebacker Nathan Bull is the Golden Eagles' leading returning tackler, making 51 total stops (25 solo) during the 2008 campaign. Senior linebacker Matt Mangona made 49 tackles (16 solo) a year ago, and senior free safety Cevon Carver, an honorable-mention all-conference honoree last fall, had 42 tackles and a pair of interceptions.