Union, N.J. (10/1/22) – The William Paterson University Pioneers rallied late in the fourth quarter to edge the Kean University football team by the final of 22-15 on Saturday in the NJAC opener for both.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Cougars (1-4, 0-1 NJAC) came out strong as the defense forced a three and out on the first WP possession and the offense turned their first possession into six points. Kean started off with great field possession at midfield and Robbie Nungesser took the first play of the day for 22 rushing yards and a quick first down. Later in the drive he found Jason Carlock down the side for a 14 yard strike and the day's first touchdown. The ensuing extra point kick was blocked by Nazier Wright to leave the score at 6-0.
Later in the quarter the Pioneers defense intercepted a ball that was tipped twice and found the hands of Jojo Kirby who raced down the field 70 yards for the pick-six. Jorge Leones tacked on the extra point to take the lead, 7-6.
The William Paterson special teams unit got the ball right back as James Nevels forced a fumble on the kickoff return and Kyron Paige fell on it. Starting the drive on the Kean 32 yard line Mele Stallings found Tye Brookins for a 28 yard reception. Nazir Dale needed four tries from the four yard line but he eventually found the endzone to jump ahead 14-6.
Later in the second quarter the Cougars used a Logan Matthews field goal to inch closer at 14-9 before the break. Kean was aided by 30 penalty yards by the Pioneers in the drive.
The Cougars took the lead back in the third quarter as they found themselves with excellent field position (WP 35) and Nungesser took just one play to find Donte Jamison for a quick touchdown. The Cougars attempted a two point conversion and fell just short of the end zone to hold on to a slim one point lead.
Kean was shorthanded in the fourth quarter with injuries and the Cougar defense held the Pioneers for three straight possessions before WP punched it in one under a minute to go. The Pioneers started with the ball at their own 35 and under two minutes to go. Stallings had no timeouts and used back-to-back completions one to Brookins and the other to Matt Clarke for a quick 29 yards. Now at the Kean 36 yard line and second down, Stallings turned to Taz Burton for a 13 yard pickup and after a Cougar timeout with 59 seconds on the clock, Stallings completed the comeback with a 23 yard reception to Clarke to put the Pioneers up for good. Dale completed the drive with a three yard plunge for the two point conversion and a 22-15 score.
The Cougars gained the ball back at their own 37 yard with 51 seconds on the clock, but were unable to move the ball for their first NJAC loss of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Nungesser was 10-of-20 for 91 yards and two touchdowns with 27 additional rushing yards. For the defense, Kervin Coleman had 13 tackles while Meir Pittman recorded eight tackles and a forced fumble. For William Paterson, Clarke had five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Samod Wingo had a team-best 11 tackles with a sack and quarterback hurry.
UP NEXT:
Kean travels to Montclair State next Saturday for a Saturday evening matchup.
