GAME NOTES (PDF)

William Paterson (0-0) will open its 2011 season with a non-conference game at King's (0-0) Saturday, Sept. 3. Kickoff at McCarthy Stadium (3,000) will be at 1:00 p.m. Live statistics and a live audio broadcast will be available.

Scouting the Pioneers
William Paterson returns nine offensive starters and six defensive starters from a 2010 team that got off to its best start since 1992, going 4-1 before mounting injuries took their toll for a 4-6 overall record and a 3-6 mark in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. The Pioneers, who welcome back four all-conference selections, were predicted to finish seventh in the 2011 NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Junior Ryan Gresik (Newton, N.J./Newton) started nine of 10 games under center a year ago, going 155-for-268 for 1,489 yards and six touchdowns. Gresik also was credited for 90 rushing attempts for 124 yards and two scores.

Junior tailback Dawys German (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington) paced the Pioneers with 129 attempts and 448 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns while starting nine of 10 games in 2010. He also caught 10 passes for 49 yards. Fullback Kyle Hart (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon Regional) was limited by injury as a junior, starting in six of eight appearances, and carried 19 times for 55 yards and caught seven passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) earned an honorable-mention nod to the All-NJAC Team after leading the Pioneers with 45 receptions, 442 yards and three touchdowns. He started all 10 games as a junior, averaging 9.6 yards on seven punt returns and 17.9 yards on 13 kickoff returns. Junior Chris Manfredo (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) also was an honorable-mention all-league honoree, ranking second for the Pioneers with 32 receptions and 393 yards.

Junior tight end Joseph Cordato (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) was third for the Pioneers with 234 receiving yards, scoring a touchdown while hauling in 21 passes and starting nine of 10 games.
Three starters return on the offensive line, including third-year starter Mike Merkh (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Holy Spirit) at center.

Twenty-five letterwinners are back from a 2010 unit that finished third in Division III in pass defense (115.3 yards/game), 26th in total defense (268.8 yards/game) and 27th in pass efficiency defense (96.5 yards/game).

The 2008 Defensive NJAC Rookie of the Year and a three-time all-conference honoree, senior bandit Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) led the Pioneers with 75 stops (28 solo) and 8.0 tackles-for-loss, and tied for the team lead with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while starting all 10 games.

Senior linebacker Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) was lost to injury in the third game of the 2010 campaign after being selected to the 2009 All-NJAC Team Honorable Mention Team. He ranked second in the league in tackles (10.5 per game), made 105 stops (48 solo, 7.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and started all 10 contests, adding a forced fumble and an interception as a junior.
Junior German Decena (Union City, N.J./Emerson) started all 10 games at free safety, tying for the team lead with three interceptions while ranking fourth with 47 tackles (14 solo). He also broke up four passes and forced a fumble last fall.

Junior Andre Snead (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City) will lead the cornerbacks after the loss of D3football.com first-team all-American Leer Biddle. Snead posted 33 tackles (24 solo), two interceptions and three pass breakups in nine starts.

Sophomore Cory Mundt (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) led in the NJAC in punting (37.7 yards/punt) and was 13-for-16 (.813) on PAT attempts and 3-for-8 (.375) on field goals.