Video Highlights
WAYNE, N.J. – Despite owning a 315-181 margin in total offense, four turnovers proved to be the difference as William Paterson football (2-2, 0-1 NJAC) fell on homecoming to The College of New Jersey (1-3, 1-0 NJAC), 17-14, Oct. 5.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The College of New Jersey struck on its opening drive when wide receiver Ean Craig got behind the William Paterson defense for a 58-yard touchdown reception.
- On first down from its own 10 yard line, freshman quarterback George Crespo (Bronx, N.Y./Orange) found classmate Matt Clarke (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) for a 67-yard catch-and-run to the Lion's 23. Two plays later, junior running back Marcel Mason (Plainfield, N.J./Piscataway) ran right, eluded two defenders, and found the end zone from 10 yards out. Junior Mahadye Paniahie's (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany ) extra point made it 7-7 with 4:34 remaining in the first quarter.
- On the Lion's ensuing drive, sophomore linebacker Bryan King (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) forced a fumble that was recovered and returned by junior safety Ra'Keem Bennett (Linden, N.J./Carteret) 29 yards for a touchdown.
- After a WP interception on the first play of the second half gave the Lions first-and-goal at the 10, the Pioneer defense got a third-down sack from senior linebacker Andrew Anthony (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) as TCNJ settled for a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit, 14-10.
- Following a William Paterson fumble at the 6:33 mark of the third quarter, TCNJ capped off a six-play, 40-yard scoring drive as junior quarterback Andrew Donohue's four-yard rushing score gave the Lions a 17-14 edge.
- WP got a fumble recovery by sophomore defensive tackle Nasir Adams (Newark, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and an interception from freshman cornerback Devyn Blount (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) during the fourth quarter, but was unable to capitalize as TCNJ held on for the three-point victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Anthony finished the day with 11 tackles (five solo), 3.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks, while senior defensive end Brandon Yaw (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) tallied seven stops (six solo), 3.0 TFL and 1.0 sack.
- Blount added a season-high six tackles (1.0 TFL) and a pass breakup to his interception, and classmate RJ Massey (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) broke up a pair of passes to go along with five stop during his first collegiate start.
- Offensively, freshman running back Terrique Riddick (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) carried the ball 15 times for 114 yards, and junior wide receiver Siraj Abdul-Malik (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) caught six balls for 53 yards.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson travels to Christopher Newport Saturday, Oct. 12, for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
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