UNION, N.J. – The William Paterson football team (4-1, 1-0 NJAC) stayed red hot and captured its third consecutive victory after besting Kean (1-4, 0-1 NJAC), 22-15, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener on Oct. 1.

It marks the first time since the 2010 campaign that the Pioneers began conference play with a win, and the longest overall win streak for the program since 2005.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Kean started its first drive of the game at the 50-yard line and needed just six plays to march down the field and score a touchdown.
• The Pioneers were forced to punt after going three-and-out on the ensuing possession and Kean began the drive at the William Paterson 47. However, after the Cougars used two plays to generate a first down, sophomore defensive back Jojo Kirby (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) picked off the Kean quarterback and took it 70 yards into the end zone for the score.
• William Paterson got the ball right back after rookie James Nevels (Wilmington, Del./Delaware Military Academy) forced a fumble on the kickoff return and junior Kyron Paige (Willingboro, N.J./Halsey) recovered it. The turnover proved to be a costly one for Kean as a Mele' Stallings (Newark, Del./Newark) 28-yard pass to sophomore Tye Brookins (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Twp.) set up the Pioneers near the goal line before freshman Nazir Dale (Camden, N.J./Brimm Medical Arts) punched in the score on a one-yard rush to put the Pioneers up 14-6.
• Kean trimmed the deficit to five following a 34-yard field goal midway through the second quarter and later took a 15-14 lead with 11 minutes to go in the third frame on a 35-yard  catch and score.
• William Paterson remained behind and got the ball on its own 35-yard line with 1:48 left to play in the game. Stallings completed three passes, each going for double-digit yards, before finding junior Matt Clarke (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) for a game-winning 23-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Pioneers picked up their first win in a conference opener since topping TCNJ on Sept. 3, 2010.
• William Paterson's three-game win streak is the longest since the program won three straight to close out the 2005 campaign.
• The Pioneers are off to their best start to a season since the 2010 team opened the year with a 4-1 record.
• Stallings recorded his first career 100-yard passing game after finishing with 131 yards through the air.
• He notched his third passing touchdown of the season.
• Dale rushed for a team-high 55 yards and scored in his third consecutive outing. He now has four touchdowns in the last three games.
• Clarke finished with a team-best five receptions and 64 yards.
• He caught his first touchdown of the season and the 10th of his career.
• Junior Samod Wingo (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) tallied a sack and led all Pioneers with 11 tackles, tying his career-best mark.
• Kirby logged his first interception and touchdown of the season.
• Three different Pioneers notched a sack.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson returns home on Oct. 8 to welcome Salisbury to Wightman Stadium for a 1 p.m. tilt.  

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