Football Rallies Past Rowan for Overtime Victory, 35-28

UNION, N.J. (10/20/07) - Senior quarterback A.J. Roque (Matawan, N.J.) connected with junior James Felton (Plainfield, N.J.) on a 14-yard touchdown in overtime, as the Kean University football team erased a two touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Rowan University in overtime, 35-28, in front of 2,795 Homecoming fans at Kean Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 28-14 entering the fourth quarter, Roque orchestrated the comeback, as he completed 13-of-19 passes for 185 yards in the final quarter, for the Cougars (3-4, 1-3 NJAC) first victory over Rowan (4-3, 2-2 NJAC) since 1994 and only the fifth win in 36 all-time meetings between the two programs. 

In overtime, the Cougars had the ball first and immediately went to work, as sophomore running back Jared Chunn (Tinton Falls, N.J.) carried the ball 11 yards on the first play of overtime.  After an incomplete pass, Roque hit Felton for the Cougars first lead of the afternoon. 

On Rowan's possession in overtime, the Profs moved inside the Cougars' five-yard line, as senior superback Ulysses Encarnacion (Little Ferry, N.J.) rushed the ball three times for 16 yards, including a one-yard rush down to the Kean three-yard line on first and goal.  On the next play, Rowan rookie quarterback Tim Hagerty (Glassboro, N.J.) carried the ball down to the one-yard line where Kean senior defensive end Brian Cilento (Dunellen, N.J.) ripped the ball away to force and recover the fumble for the Cougar victory. 

In the fourth quarter, the Cougars cut the Prof lead to one touchdown midway through the quarter when junior wide receiver Durell Dukes (Elizabeth, N.J.) punched the ball in from the three-yard line and senior kicker Jonathan Robinson (Brick, N.J.) converted the point after attempt to pull within 28-21.  On the 10-play, 87-yard drive, Roque completed six straight passes, including four more than 10 yards apiece. 

After Kean forced the Profs into a three and out on their next possession, Roque hit sophomore Derric Harris (Freehold, N.J.) on a 67-yard touchdown reception on the third play of the ensuring drive to tie the game with 5:33 remaining in regulation.

Rowan would threaten with two minutes remaining, as Hagerty completed a 12-yard pass to junior wide receiver Adam Preciado (Hillsdale, N.J.) to move into Kean territory.  On the very next play though, Kean senior inside linebacker Clarence Goodman (Old Bridge, N.J.) sacked Hagerty back into Rowan territory for an 11-yard loss.

The Profs took a 7-0 lead after the opening drive when senior superback Rob Richardson (Hackensack, N.J.) capped a 12-play, 67-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 10:19 left in the first quarter.  On the drive, Hagerty had a 34-yard rush on a long third down and the Profs took advantage of a fresh set of downs at the Kean six yard line following a defensive pass interference penalty in the endzone.

Kean tied the game late in the quarter, as Chunn had a 20-yard touchdown run on a four-play, 32-yard drive that was set up by a 15-yard punt return by senior Ryan Staton (Mays Landing, N.J.).

A Cougar fumble deep inside their own territory set-up Rowan's next touchdown, as Hagerty carried the ball himself in from the one-yard line for the 14-7 lead with 11:58 left in the second quarter.  The Cougars answered back two possessions later to tie the game heading into halftime, as Felton had a four-yard rushing touchdown with four minutes remaining.

In the third quarter, the Cougars looked to capitalize on a Rowan fumble, however the 41-yard field goal attempt by Robinson fell short and the Profs regained possession at their own 24-yard line.  On the ensuing drive, Rowan moved the ball down field to the red zone where Hagerty hit sophomore Vinnie Graff (Fair Lawn, N.J.) with the 20-yard touchdown pass for the 21-14 lead following the point after by sophomore Andrew Smith (Howell, N.J.) with 8:08 left in the third quarter. 

The Profs quickly built the two touchdown lead when sophomore linebacker Andrew Yezzi (Franklinville, N.J.) intercepted the Roque pass and returned the ball 30-yards for the touchdown just 64 seconds later.

In the victory, Roque completed 28-of-47 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns.  Harris had all four of his receptions for 96 yards in the game-turning fourth quarter, while Felton and Dukes each added seven receptions for 84 and 53 yards, respectively. 

Defensively, Goodman finished with a career-high 16 tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for a loss of 22 yards.  Staton added 12 tackles and one pass breakup, while linebackers Matt Ali (Keasbey, N.J.) and Jordan Cagle (Mount Holly, N.J.) had 11 and 10 tackles, respectively.

For the Profs, Yezzi made a team-high seven tackles and the interception return for the touchdown, while senior Kelvin Bellamy (Trenton, N.J.) and junior Jimmy DiPaolo (North Plainfield, N.J.) each had six tackles. 

Offensively, Hagerty finished with 91 yards passing (10-of-20) and 54 yards rushing, while Graff had three receptions for 40 yards.  On the ground, Encrnacion finished with 64 yards on 24 carries. 

On Saturday, October 27, the Cougars travel to William Paterson University (1 p.m.), while the Profs host Montclair State University (2 p.m.)