Box Score 

GLASSBORO, N.J. – A 70-yard rushing touchdown to start the second half proved to be the winning points for host Rowan (2-1, 1-1 NJAC), as the Profs handed William Paterson (2-1, 1-1 NJAC) its first loss of the season in a 12-7 decision Sept. 25 at Coach Wacker Stadium.

After receiving the kickoff to start the third quarter, backup quarterback Tim Hagerty tucked the ball and ran on the very first offensive play of the possession, scampering 70 yards to give Rowan its first lead of the day, 12-7. Pioneer senior Leer Biddle (Sicklerville, N.J./Lenape) blocked the extra point to keep it a five-point margin.

The two teams traded punts until midway through the fourth quarter, when an 11-play, 65-yard William Paterson drive ended with a Brandon Jones interception on his own two-yard line. Two Prof punts sandwiched an unsuccessful WP try on fourth-and-goal from the Rowan-23, and the Pioneers' last-gasp effort during the final minute was intercepted at midfield to seal the win for Rowan.

William Paterson took the early advantage, eventually converting their second interception of the day into seven points. Sophomore Andre Snead's (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City) pick and eight-yard return gave the Pioneers the ball at the Profs' 27-yard line, but William Paterson was forced to punt four plays later. Rowan picked up 17 yards on the first play of its next drive, but sophomore safety German Decena (Union City, N.J./Emerson) came up with WP's second interception of Kenny Brock, and his 29-yard return, coupled with a Prof personal foul, made it first-and-10 for the Pioneers at the Rowan 12-yard line. Two Ryan Gresik (Newton, N.J./Newton) carries gained a total of two yards, and a three-yard completion from Gresik to freshman Ray VanPeenen (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) made it fourth-and-five at the seven. Gresik completed the drive with a seven-yard completion to junior Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace), and freshman Julian Frazier (Plainfield, N.J./North Plainfield) connected on the extra point, for a 7-0 Pioneer edge with 2:13 to play in the opening period.

A William Paterson penalty on fourth-and-one extended Rowan's next drive, and that would prove costly as Antonio Regalbuto would later kick a 38-yard field goal, making it a 7-3 contest with 11:35 remaining in the first half. The sophomore would add his second field goal of the day, this one from 28 yards out, five minutes later to cut the margin to one at 7-6.

The Profs denied VanPeenen on fourth-and-two during William Paterson's next possession, but Rowan could not take advantage as Regalbuto missed wide right on a 28-yard attempt.

Gresik was 14-for-27 for 126 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for William Paterson. VanPeenen carried 19 times for 66 yards, and caught three passes for 19 yards. Sophomore Joseph Cordato (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) gained 43 yards on four receptions.

Junior linebacker Damian DiIorio (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) led all players with 10 tackles (four solo), adding a fumble recovery. Senior defensive lineman Dyon Moore (Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic) made eight stops (four solo, 1.5 TFL), and classmate Dan Nunez (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Paramus Catholic) also had eight tackles (two solo, 1.5 for loss).

Brock was 1-for-4 for nine yards and two INTs before being lifted for Hagerty, who was 8-for-18 for 109 yards through the air and carried nine times for 96 yards and a score. Steve Hevalow rushed 22 times for 59 yards, and Marcus Lee caught three passes for 87 yards.

The Profs' defense was led by cornerback Husain Shakir with eight tackles (five solo) and one pass breakup. Linebacker Steve Hague followed with seven stops (one solo).

William Paterson will celebrate Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 2, when the Pioneers host Western Connecticut at 1:00 p.m.