Wayne, N.J. (9/24/16) -The Kean University football team knocked off William Paterson University by the final of 24-13 on Saturday afternoon in NJAC action.
A 28-yard interception return for a touchdown by junior defensive back Vaughn Scott less than four minutes into the contest handed the Cougars (3-1, 2-1 NJAC) an early 7-0 lead.
The Pioneers (1-2, 0-2 NJAC) answered with a trick play when senior wide receiver Anthony DiMarsico lobbed a pass down the left sideline to wide-open junior quarterback James Waldron, who fought off a would-be tackler to cross the goal line for a 49-scoring play. Sophomore Nick DeAngelis kicked the extra point and the score was knotted at 7-7 with 5:50 left in the first quarter.
Kean opened the second period with a seven-yard strike from junior quarterback Charles App to sophomore tight end Kyle Rooney on the left side of the end zone, making it a 14-7 margin 25 seconds into the quarter.
A 47-yard Vaughn punt return set up the Cougars on the WP-20, and seven plays later a second surge by the line allowed App to break the plane for a one-yard rush (21-7, 6:54).
It looked as if a late William Paterson red-zone possession had been thwarted by a Kean interception, but offsetting penalties negated the play and allowed the Pioneers to maintain the ball at the KU-7. Three plays later, DeAngelis kicked an 18-yard field goal to make it a 21-10 score four seconds before the end of the half.
The Cougars' onside kick was successful to start the third quarter, but the WP defense did well to force a punt and not allow the play to be converted into points. The Pioneers then put together a 15-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a DeAngelis 32-yard field goal to pull William Paterson within eight, 21-13, with 5:49 on the clock.
A 44-yard App-to-Antoine Wilson pass helped to set up a 24-yard field goal by junior Aryeh Moslavi, pushing Kean ahead by a 24-13 count with 12:10 to play in the fourth quarter.
Waldron went 14-for-30 for 127 yards and an interception under center, and DiMarsico was 5-for-8 for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 71 yards, and rushed 10 times for 30 yards.
Junior linebacker Charles Faulkner led the defense with 13 tackles (five solo, 1.0 TFL), and junior defensive lineman Omar Mahmoud made 11 stops (five solo, 2.5 TFL, 1.0 sack).
App went 10-for-19 for 143 yards while running back Brian Matthews carried 39 times for 151 yards, and senior wide receiver LeRon Dillard had four receptions for 67 yards.
Senior linebacker Stephan Lewis and junior linebacker Darin Hungerford each finished with 11 tackles for the Cougars, with Hungerford (pictured left) adding three and a half tackles for a loss.
Kean will celebrate Homecoming Saturday, October 1, against Frostburg State at 1:00 p.m.
