Game Notes (PDF) 

William Paterson (2-1, 1-1 NJAC) celebrates Homecoming when the Pioneers host Western Connecticut (0-3, 0-2 NJAC) for a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) contest on Saturday, Oct. 2. Kickoff at Wightman Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. 

Live statistics will be available via wpupioneers.com, WP Radio 88.7 FM will provide a live audio stream of the contest, and WP-TV will broadcast the game live on campus.

Scouting the Pioneers
William Paterson is 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) after a 12-7 loss at Rowan (2-1, 1-1 NJAC) Sept. 25. 

Sophomore Ryan Gresik (Newton, N.J./Newton) is 52-for-85 for 492 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions under center. He also added a rushing touchdown of four yards during the 14-7 win against King's Sept. 18, and he ranks third in the NJAC in passing yards/game (164.0). 

Freshman Ray VanPeenen (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), a former walk-on at Rutgers, has 45 rushing attempts for 171 yards (3.8 yards/carry), has caught six passes for 44 yards, and has punted 12 times for an average of 34.8 yards (tied-fifth in league). Sophomore tailback Dawys German (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington) has rushed 31 times for 124 yards (4.0 yards/carry) and a touchdown. 

Junior Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) leads the Pioneers with 15 catches (5.0 per game, fifth in NJAC), 156 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Chris Manfredo (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) has gained 134 yards on 12 receptions. 

A two-time second-team all-conference selection, senior defensive lineman Dyon Moore (Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic) leads the Pioneers with 23 tackles (4.5 for loss; 1.50 TFL/game, tied-third in NJAC). The Sept. 5 Defensive Player of the Week as well as a 2009 honorable-mention all-NJAC honoree, senior linebacker Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) owns 22 stops (eight solo). Senior defensive lineman Dan Nunez (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Paramus Catholic) has 18 tackles (2.0 TFL), while junior linebacker Damian DiIorio (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) has 17 stops (six solo, 1.0 sack) and two fumble recoveries (0.67/game, tied-first in conference), including one for a 35-yard touchdown against King's on Sept. 18. 

Junior bandit Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills), the 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year as well as a 2009 second-team all-conference pick, has 16 tackles, and sophomore linebacker Jimmie Ray Ragland (Somerset, N.J./Franklin) has 15 stops (4.0 TFL) and an interception. Senior bandit Chris Thomas (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) has recorded 13 tackles and four pass breakups (1.33 passes defended/game, tied-second in league), and is averaging 22.4 yards per kickoff return (second in NJAC). 

William Paterson returned four offensive starters and eight defensive starters from a 2009 team that compiled a 5-5 overall record and a 4-5 mark in NJAC play. The Pioneers, who welcomed back five all-conference selections from a year ago, were predicted to finish fifth in the 2010 NJAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, and were the “dark horse” pick to win the title this fall.

Scouting Western Connecticut
The Colonials are 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) after a 45-0 home loss against No. 22 Cortland (3-0, 3-0 NJAC) Sept. 25. 

Freshman Adler Florian is projected to start at quarterback after catching four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown as a wide receiver. Sophomore Tyler DeRosa has gained 316 yards and scored once on 59 carries (5.4 yards/attempt; 105.3 yards/game, tied-third in NJAC), while freshman David Plaskon has caught 10 passes for 194 yards and three scores. 

Sophomore free safety Tyrell Ballard and sophomore linebacker Mike Lacaria (one interception and fumble forced) share the team lead with 21 tackles apiece. Senior defensive back Cliff Rone has added 18 stops and a forced fumble. 

Western Connecticut was 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the NJAC a year ago. The Colonials were picked to finish eighth in the 2010 NJAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.