WESTMINSTER, Md. – The William Paterson football team (1-2) picked up its first win of the 2024 campaign after defeating McDaniel (1-2), 27-14, on the road Sept. 21.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• On the opening drive for the Pioneers, McDaniel intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards for the score to take a 7-0 advantage with 9:28 on the clock.
• William Paterson had possession with 2:04 left in the first quarter and freshman quarterback found junior Caleb Rippey (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Twp.) for a 62-yard touchdown to even the score.
• After forcing a three and out, the Pioneers got the ball back with 14:07 on the clock in the second quarter and used six plays to drive 58 yards down the field before Jennings connected with junior Nolan Epps (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) for a seven-yard score to put WP ahead, 14-7.
• With 10:34 remaining in the third quarter, the WP defense got a stop on fourth down to set up the Pioneers on the McDaniel 48-yard line. Jennings completed a 19-yard pass to senior Nolan Epps (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) and Kyree Hinton (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) found Rippey for a 28-yard touchdown on the very next play to extend the advantage to 13 (20-7).
• On the ensuing McDaniel drive, junior James Nevels (Wilmington, Del./Delaware Military Academy) picked off the Green Terror quarterback and had a 45-yard return on the play to put the Pioneers at the McDaniel 31-yard line. Junior Erik Reinacher (Millsboro, Del./Sussex Tech) capped a four-play scoring drive with a two-yard rush into the endzone to make it a 20-point game (27-7) with seven minutes left in the third frame.
• Later in the third quarter, McDaniel made it a two-score game (27-14) following a three-play 42-yard scoring drive.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Jennings threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start.
• Rippey reeled in two catches for a game-high 90 yards and two touchdowns.
• Epps caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.
• Junior Isaac Cherry (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) led the rushing attack with 14 carries for a team-best 62 yards.
• Reinacher rushed for his first career touchdown.
• Junior Quamire Green (Brick, N.J./Donovan Catholic) totaled a team-high 12 tackles.
• Junior Jayce Harmon (Milford, Del./Sussex Tech) had seven stops with three tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
• Junior James Nevels (Wilmington, Del./Delaware Military Academy) tallied two interceptions.
• Senior Jojo Kirby (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) recorded an interception.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will open New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play Saturday, Oct. 5, in Union, N.J., against Kean.

 
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