William Paterson University Athletics

WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson football team's (0-1) late rally fell short as the Pioneers opened their 2026 campaign with a 27-17 home loss to Western Connecticut (1-0) Sept. 5 at Wightman Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A high snap on a WP punt attempt went through the back of the end zone for a 2-0 WestConn lead at the 10:14 mark of the first quarter.
• The Wolves used a 44-yard pass play to build a 9-0 edge less than two minutes into the second period, and added a 70-yard run for a 15-0 advantage at the 7:39 mark.
• The Pioneers got on the scoreboard 31 seconds before halftime, thanks to a 30-yard field goal by sophomore Omar Rodriguez (Cliffside Park, N.J./Cliffside Park).
• WestConn returned an interception 20 yards to extend its lead to 21-3 with 7:44 on the clock in the third.
• Freshman quarterback Michael Ollendorf (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Borough) capped off an 11-play, 88-yard drive when he entered the game for a one-yard WP rushing touchdown. Senior signal caller JC Landicini (Egg Harbor City, N.J./Cedar Creek) then converted the two-point attempt to graduate student tight end Michael Osafo, making it a 21-11 game with 3:24 to play during the third quarter.
• The Wolves added a two-yard scoring carry (27-11, 12:01) during the fourth.
• Landicini found an open Blake Wypler (Fair Lawn, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional) in the back of the end zone from three yards out with 1:29 to play (27-17), but the two-point attempt was intercepted.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Landicini finished 16-for-33 for 203 yards, a score and two interceptions for WP.
• Wypler hauled in career bests of eight receptions, 122 yards and a touchdown.
• Junior Arise Ceide (Trenton, N.J./Steinert) led the ground game with 10 carries for 32 yards.
• Junior defensive lineman Joseph Pressley (Allentown, Pa./Pemberton) collected eight tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sack.
• Sophomore linebacker Terrill Yankson (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) posted eight stops (five solo), and sophomore defensive lineman Kaiden Rex (Totowa, N.J./Passaic County Technical) contributed 1.5 sacks amongst his five tackles.
• The game marked the debut for first-year Pioneer head coach Edwyn Edwards.

 
UP NEXT:

• Following a bye week, William Paterson plays its first road game Saturday, Sept. 19, at Salve Regina at 3:00 p.m.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

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