BOX SCORE

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (3-6, 2-6 NJAC) suffered a 45-0 football loss to visiting No. 17 Kean (8-1, 7-1 NJAC) on Senior Day Nov. 5 at Wightman Stadium.

The Cougars built a 17-0 first-quarter lead, thanks to a 21-yard completion from Tom D'Ambrisi to Chris Suozzo (7-0, 5:03), a D'Ambrisi-Suozzo 39-yard score (14-0, 2:19) and a Billy Daniels 42-yard field goal following a Jerelle Peay interception at the Pioneers' 31 yard line.

Darius Kinney capped a seven-play, 49-yard drive with his five-yard TD run, making it a 24-0 score 2:48 into the second period.  On the third play of the ensuing WP possession, freshman quarterback Joe Salame (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) was sacked and fumbled, and Brett Yajcaji picked up the loose ball and run it back for 32 yards and a touchdown (31-0, 10:36).

Following a 45-yard punt return by T.J. Denehy, Kean took advantage of the short field, covering the last 29 yards on five carries, the last for three yards by Chris DiMicco (38-0, 6:07).

The Cougars finished the scoring with 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter, a four-yard TD reception by Denehy.

Salame was 2-for-6 and senior Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) was 2-for-4 under center for the Pioneers.  Muraglia was the team's leading rusher, gaining 44 yards on 12 attempts.

Junior linebacker Clifton Glaze (Palmyra, N.J./Palmyra) and senior defensive lineman Damian DiIorio (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) each made 11 tackles to pace the Pioneers.  Senior linebacker Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) and freshman linebacker John Garbowski (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland) contributed 10 stops apiece.

D'Ambrisi was 9-for-15 for 134 yards and three touchdowns for Kean.  Sean McKee gained 50 yards on eight attempts, and Kinney had 10 carries for 50 yards and a score.  Suozzo finished with four receptions for 76 yards and two TDs.

Brad Higgins led the Cougar defense with nine tackles.  Ray Wegrzynek, Will Nahan and Bekim Bujari each had five.

Prior to the game, the Pioneers honored their nine seniors – DiIorio, bandit Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills), Hamill, fullback Kyle Hart (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon Regional), linebacker Brandon McNeil (Somerset, N.J./Franklin), center Mike Merkh (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Holy Spirit), Muraglia, wide receiver Corey Paladino (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) and offensive lineman Mike Sullivan (New Milford, N.J./New Milford).

William Paterson will finish its season Saturday, Nov. 12, at Western Connecticut at 12:00 p.m.