WAYNE, N.J. – A late touchdown was the difference as the William Paterson football team (4-5, 2-3 NJAC) suffered a narrow 23-22 Senior Day loss to Montclair State (3-6, 2-3 NJAC) Nov. 6.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Red Hawks returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead at the 12:57 mark of the second quarter.
• On their very next offensive snap, Pioneer freshman quarterback Spencer Lee (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Hasbrouck Heights) found senior tight end William Frese (Waldwick, N.J./Waldwick) for a quick completion that he turned into an 80-yard score up the right sideline. Freshman Ronald Alvarez (Union City, N.J./Union City) kicked the extra point to knot the score at 7-7 just 20 seconds later.
• Lee's pass over the top to sophomore wide receiver Matt Clarke (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) resulted in a 30-yard touchdown, but the PAT hit the left upright, leaving it a 13-7 WP advantage with 7:03 to play during the second period.
• MSU's 44-yard touchdown through the air tied the game again at 13-13 (0:47, second), but William Paterson junior defensive lineman Nasir Adams (Newark, N.J./Hudson Catholic) blocked the extra-point attempt and junior linebacker Nazier Wright (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) scooped up the ball and scored for two points and a 15-13 William Paterson edge.
• Freshman defensive back Jojo Kirby (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) jumped the route for a 54-yard pick-six and Alvarez was successful on the PAT, pushing the Pioneers' lead to 22-13 less than 90 seconds into the third quarter.
• A 30-yard Montclair State field goal cut it to a one-possession game at 22-16 with 3:26 left.
• The Red Hawks tied the score with a 29-yard touchdown, and the PAT gave them a 23-22 advantage with 51 seconds on the clock.
• An interception near the Red Hawks' 30-yard line ended WP's comeback hopes during the final seconds.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Lee was 10-for-25 for 195 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
• Senior running back Marcel Mason (Plainfield, N.J./Piscataway) carried 26 times for a career-best 99 yards.
• Frese caught two passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Clarke posted two catches for 73 yards and a score.
• Wright led all players with 10 tackles (1.5 TFL), adding two pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and a returned blocked PAT for two points.
• Sophomore defensive back Richard Massey (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) made five stops, recovered a fumble forced by Kirby, and intercepted a pass.
• Prior to the game, WP honored its eight seniors – wide receiver Siraj Abdul-Malik (Hillside, N.J./Hillside), offensive lineman Joe Cacho (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth), Frese, Mason, linebacker Sean Maldonato (Haskell, N.J./Lakeland Regional), quarterback Matt Monteverde (Dumont, N.J./Dumont), linebacker Jared Salgado (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills) and offensive lineman Richie Squeo (Keansburg, N.J./Keansburg).

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will finish the regular season Saturday, Nov. 13, at No. 13/11 Salisbury at 1:00 p.m.

 
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