Video Highlights

WAYNE, N.J. – After rallying from a 3-0 halftime deficit to take a third-quarter lead, William Paterson football (0-1) dropped a heartbreaker in overtime, 12-9, to visiting Western Connecticut State (1-0) in the season opener for both teams Sept. 7.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• On its opening drive, Western Connecticut went 61 yards in 11 plays before settling for a 31-yard field goal by senior Jordan D'Onofrio.
• William Paterson's defense kept it a one-score contest heading into the break thanks to a trio of first half interceptions, two by freshman Devyn Blount (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) and another by senior Ra'Keem Bennett (Linden, N.J./Carteret).
• The Pioneers got on the scoreboard early in third quarter, capping off a 12-play, 70-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run by freshman Terrique Riddick (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge).
• West. Conn. tied the game at 9-9 with 3:04 remaining after D'Onofrio connected on a 42-yarder from the right hash.
• Sophomore placekicker William Oertel, Jr. (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) nailed a 33-yard field goal in the first overtime to give William Paterson a 9-6 edge, but the Colonials struck for a 25-yard touchdown pass on its overtime possession to come away with the 12-9 decision.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Freshman quarterback George Crespo (Bronx, N.Y./Orange) concluded his collegiate debut by completing 81 percent of his passes (17-21) for 134 yards.
• Junior wide receiver Siraj Abdul-Malik (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) led the team with eight receptions for 53 yards, while classmate William Frese (Waldwick, N.J./Waldwick) caught a career-best four passes for 38 yards.
• Senior defensive lineman Dan Tomzick (Stockholm, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional) enjoyed his best game as a Pioneer, collecting a career-best seven tackles (3.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks).
• Senior Andrew Anthony (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) and sophomore Bryan King (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) paced WP with nine tackles apiece, while senior Brandon Yaw (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) added four stops (1.0 TFL).
• Blount added three solo tackles to go along with his two interceptions.

 
UP NEXT:

• WP travels to FDU-Florham Friday, Sept. 13, for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

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