BOX SCORE

CORTLAND, N.Y. – Junior Javon Hodges (Parlin, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown, but the William Paterson football team (2-5, 1-5 NJAC) lost a 35-7 contest at Cortland (5-2, 5-2 NJAC) Oct. 22.

The Red Dragons got on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter when Bronson Greene capped a 71-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run.  Marc Corrado kicked the extra point and Cortland owned a 7-0 lead with 6:26 on the cock.

John Babin caught seven-yard and 14-yard TD passes from Dan Pitcher at the 11:23 and 10:02 marks, respectively, of the second quarter to extend the lead to 21-0, and Brian Haber's seven-yard grab with 29 seconds left gave Cortland its 28-0 halftime advantage.

Hodges put the guests on the board with his 45-yard interception return, just diving inside the left pylon at the end of his run, with 11:49 left in the third quarter.  For Hodges, it was his second pick-six of the season.  Babin capped the scoring with a 32-yard reception just inside the right sideline of the end zone with 3:18 left in the third.

Freshman Joe Salame (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) was 8-for-14 for 73 yards and an interception under center for the Pioneers.  Freshman Isaac Jlaka (Philipsburg, N.J./Philipsburg) picked up 31 yards on four carries, and junior Alex Price (Newton, N.J./Newton) had a team-best 45-yard reception.

Junior free safety German Decena (Union City, N.J./Emerson) and senior bandit Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) each recorded 10 tackles to lead all defensive players.  Hodges added seven stops to his interception, and sophomore nose tackle Webb Geer (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) also tallied seven tackles.

Pitcher was 20-for-32 for 262 yards and four touchdowns to lead Cortland.  Dorian Myles picked up 120 yards on 21 attempts, and Babin finished with 10 receptions for 135 yards and three scores.

Chris Bright led the Red Dragon defense with eight tackles and a forced fumble.  Mike Wilson and Vaughn Labor both added six stops.

William Paterson will host Morrisville State Saturday, Oct. 29, at 12:00 p.m.