DANBURY, Conn. – Despite a late scoring drive in the final minute of the fourth quarter, the William Paterson football team's (0-1) rally came up short as the Pioneers fell, 21-20, in the 2025 season opener at Western Connecticut State Sept. 6.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A costly Pioneer fumble with 11:16 on the clock in the first quarter allowed the Giants to gain possession of the ball on the WP 33-yard line. West Conn used five plays to find the end zone and grab an early 7-0 advantage.
• Starting at their own 10-yard line less than a minute into the second quarter, the Giants pieced together a 15-play drive that resulted in their second touchdown of the game, extending the lead to 14-0.
• With 2:14 remaining in the first half, sophomore Terrill Yankson (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) picked off the West Conn quarterback, giving WP the ball on the opposing 24-yard line. The Pioneers ran the ball four straight times before sophomore quarterback Nigel Jennings (Garfield, N.J./Eastside) found the end zone on a four-yard dash up the middle to trim the deficit to seven (14-7).
• After forcing a three-and-out, the Pioneers got the ball with 5:34 on the clock in the third quarter. It took WP only four plays to even the score at 14-14 after Jennings found paydirt from 11 yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the night.
• The score remained tied until West Conn took advantage of favorable field positioning on its first possession of the fourth quarter, regaining the lead on a four-yard rushing score to make it 21-14 with 13:30 remaining.  
• With 6:28 left to play, and trailing by a touchdown, the Pioneers worked their way to the West Conn 25-yard line after a 13-play drive. However, the West Conn defense spoiled the drive with a timely interception with 53 seconds remaining.
• The Giants drained 25 seconds off the clock before they were forced to punt the ball back to WP. The Pioneers regained possession at the West Conn 28-yard line after a 23-yard punt return by senior Nolan Epps (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore). After an incomplete pass on the first play, Jennings rushed 28 yards up the middle and into the end zone with 10 seconds remaining to trim the deficit to one (21-20). However, the Pioneers missed the extra point and the Giants held on for the season-opening victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Jennings rushed 19 times for a game-high 74 yards and three touchdowns.
• Sophomore Ray'Mir Johnson (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) logged 54 rushing yards on 10 carries.
• Epps corralled five passes for a team-best 41 yards.
• Junior Gavin Rembert (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) made a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo) while recording an interception.
• Senior Knasir Alston (Asbury Park, N.J./Academy Charter) finished with eight tackles.
• Sophomore Joseph Pressley (Allentown, Pa./Pemberton) totaled five stops with 3.5 tackles for loss.
• Yankson notched an interception.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will have its bye next week and return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, for the home opener against Salve Regina, slated for 1:00 p.m.   

 
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