Video Highlights 

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (0-1) outplayed FDU-Florham (2-0) during the second half, but early turnovers cost the Pioneers as WP dropped a 31-17 decision during its football season opener Sept. 8 at Wightman Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• WP got on the scoreboard thanks to its special teams unit, as sophomore Shawn Williams (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) blocked a Devil punt inside the 10-yard line and classmate Isaiah Hunt (Edison, N.J./Edison) recovered it in the end zone. Freshman William Oertel, Jr. (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) kicked the extra point for a 24-7 score at the 6:16 mark of the third quarter.
• After a 49-yard completion by junior quarterback Cornelius Kinchen (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) to classmate RaeQuawn Bridgeman (West Orange, N.J./Orange) to start the Pioneers' next possession, Oertel converted a 19-yard field goal (24-10, 2:15).
• On fourth-and-goal, Kinchen avoided the blitz and found sophomore tight end William Frese (Waldwick, N.J./Waldwick) on a quick slant for a 10-yard touchdown and a 31-17 margin with 4:14 to play.
• FDU-Florham used three Pioneer first-quarter turnovers to jump out to a 21-0 lead, then added a 25-yard field goal 30 seconds before halftime.
• The Devils opened the fourth quarter with a 47-yard scoring pass play for a 31-10 edge.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Kinchen finished 18-for-34 for 242 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
• Bridgeman made six catches for 95 yards during his first college action.
• Junior linebacker Corey Anthony (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) paced the Pioneer defense with nine tackles, including six solo stops.
• Senior safety Matt Olivo (Clark, N.J./St. Joseph's Metuchen) added seven tackles, while senior linebacker Charles Faulkner (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) and junior linebacker Tyler Gross (Pomona, N.Y./North Rockland) each had six.
• The game marked the debut of first-year head coach Dustin Johnson, as well as 55 WP freshmen.
• Twenty-four of the teams' combined 30 first downs came through the air, as 568 of the 618 total offensive yards were gained via the passing game.
• FDU-Florham senior quarterback Jagger Green finished 35-for-45 for 320 yards and three scores. Classmate Mike Panzarino caught 11 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown, and senior linebacker Isaiah Turner added an interception to his nine tackles.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson starts conference play Saturday, Sept. 15, at Rowan at 6:00 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia