EWING, N.J. – The William Paterson football team (2-7, 1-4 NJAC) was bested by host The College of New Jersey (5-4, 3-2 NJAC), 31-14, Nov. 4.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions got on the scoreboard with a 45-yard interception return for a 7-0 edge with 18 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
• TCNJ made it 14-0 with a five-yard run at the 10:40 mark of the second period.
• The Pioneers answered with a nine-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown run by sophomore Isaac Cherry (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point). Sophomore Jorge Leones (South Plainfield N.J./South Plainfield) kicked the extra point and it was a 14-7 margin 5:15 before halftime.
• The Lions kicked a 29-yard field goal (17-7, 11:51) and scored a 34-yard rushing touchdown (24-7, 6:30) during the third quarter.
• Junior quarterback Chris Leimberg connected with sophomore Tyreek Rollins (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) for a 22-yard TD and a 24-14 score with 1:59 on the clock in the third.
• TCNJ's six-yard TD ended the scoring with 9:24 remaining.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Leimberg was 20-for-42 for 271 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
• Cherry carried 20 times for a career-high 111 yards and a score.
• Clarke caught eight passes for 100 yards, his sixth career game with triple-digit yardage.
• Sophomore linebacker Jayce Harmon (Milford, Del./Sussex Tech) posted a team-best nine stops, and senior linebacker Alajuwon Bell (Paterson, N.J./Garrett Morgan Academy) added seven stops.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will finish its season Friday, Nov. 10, at Rowan at 7:00 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

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