VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

WAYNE, N.J. – Despite the defense and special teams combining for three touchdowns, the William Paterson football team (0-1) was unable to come out on top in its season opener, ultimately falling to FDU-Florham (1-0), 33-29, at Wightman Stadium Sept. 2.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

•  After forcing the Pioneers to punt the ball on the opening series, the Devils started their first drive on their own 25 before working their way down the field and scoring on a 15-yard rush to gain the early 7-0 advantage.
• William Paterson wasted no time and countered on the ensuing possession after senior quarterback Mele' Stallings (Newark, Del./Newark) connected with classmate Matt Clarke (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) for a 63-yard catch-and-score with 6:17 on the clock to even the score.
• FDU-Florham got the ball back looking to answer and worked its way into the red zone before senior RJ Massey (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) picked off a pass at the two-yard line and returned it 98 yards for his first career defensive touchdown.  
• With less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter, a WP pass was intercepted and the Devils got the ball at the Pioneer 10-yard line. FDU-Florham used just two plays to punch in their second score of the day to knot things up at 14-14.  
• The score remained even until the Devils recorded a safety and went ahead, 16-14, with 2:08 left in the first half.
• FDU-Florham carried the momentum into the third quarter and used 10 plays to drive 70 yards down the field and score to extend the lead to nine (23-14).
• The Devils would add to their lead early in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard field goal, but on the kickoff following the score, WP sophomore Tyreek Rollins (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) received the ball at the 15-yard line and jolted down the field for an 85-yard kick return touchdown to trim the deficit to five (26-21).
• With the ball back in the Devils' possession with 12:36 left in the game, the WP defense stepped up once again and senior Devyn Blount (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) intercepted a pass and brought it 53 yards into the end zone for the Pioneers' second defensive touchdown of the afternoon. The Pioneers went on to convert the two-point conversion after Stallings scampered into the end zone, giving WP a 29-26 edge with 11:04 on the clock.
• The Devils were forced to punt after only gaining one yard on three plays during a drive that began at the 5:23 mark. However, on the punt, the ball touched a Pioneer and FDU-Florham was able to recover it on the WP 44-yard line.
• From there, the Devils ran the ball five consecutive plays before punching in the game-deciding score on a one-yard rush up the middle.
   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The 63-yard touchdown pass was the longest of Stallings' career.
• Blount recorded seven tackles and the first touchdown of his career.
• Senior Alajuwon Bell (Paterson, N.J./Garrett Morgan Academy) logged seven stops and a tackle for loss.
• Junior Isaiah Leeks (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) totaled career-high totals in rush attempts (12) and yards (39).
• Rollins returned three kicks for 123 yards and a score.
• The 85-yard return is tied for the fifth longest in program history.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson heads to Carlisle, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 9, for a 1:00 p.m. game at Dickinson.

 
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