DANBURY, CONN. – William Paterson's (0-1) comeback bid fell just short during its football season opener Sept. 4 at Western Connecticut (1-0), 24-21.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A two-yard run put the Colonials on the scoreboard three seconds into the second quarter (7-0).
• A fumble recovery by senior linebacker Sean Maldonato (Haskell, N.J./Lakeland Regional) gave the Pioneers the ball at the WCSU 44-yard line, and four plays later senior running back Da'Avian Ellington (Carteret, N.J./Woodbridge) broke the goal line from one yard out. Freshman Ronald Alvarez (Union City, N.J./Union City) kicked the extra point, tying the game at 7-7 with 9:55 remaining before halftime.
• A 16-play, 65-yard drive ended with a one-yard WestConn touchdown run (14-7, 2:47 second).
• Sophomore defensive back Devyn Blunt picked off a pass to end the Colonials' opening drive of the second half, giving the Pioneers great field position at the WCSU-41. A 27-yard Spencer Lee (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Hasbrouck Heights)-to-Taz Burton (Millville, N.J./Bridgeton) pass on third-and-13 kept the drive alive, and sophomore running back Terrique Riddick (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) later punched it in from two yards out (14-14, 9:05).
• A 23-yard field goal pushed the Colonials ahead by a 17-14 margin with 3:50 on the clock in the third quarter, and a WP fumble helped Western Connecticut make it a 24-14 game two minutes later with a five-yard TD pass.
• Lee found senior Siraj Abdul-Malik (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) for a 16-yard score with 9:31 remaining in the contest, pulling WP to within three at 24-21.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Lee finished 16-for-26 for 202 yards under center, throwing a touchdown and an interception.
• Riddick carried 15 times for 73 yards and a score, and sophomore Taz Burton (Millville, N.J./Bridgeton) caught six passes for 125 yards.
• Senior linebacker Jared Salgado (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills) made a game-best 10 tackles (seven solo, 0.5 TFL).
• Senior Keshaun Henry (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) collected eight stops and hauled in an interception, while five Pioneers tallied five tackles apiece.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will play its home opener Saturday, Sept. 11, against FDU-Florham at 1:00 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

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