Union, N.J. (10/14/23) – The Kean University football team fell to visiting The College of New Jersey, 27-0, on a cold, rainy homecoming Saturday.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Lions (2-4, 1-2 NJAC) scored on their first possession.  Kean held TCNJ to a three and out, but a penalty on the punt attempt, extended the drive.  The Kean defense kept the Lions out of the endzone, but TCNJ was able to push across three with a Bobby Wortman 29 yard field goal.

The College of New Jersey was able to score their first touchdown of the day on their next possession, using six plays for 79 yards.  Stephen Begen found Ryan Gill for a 45 yard strike.  The ensuing extra point went wide as TCNJ now led, 9-0.

Kean was driving down the field on their next possession but Jack Young intercepted the ball at the eight yard line, returning the ball back 28 yards to thwart the threat.

In the second quarter, Begen completed passes of 16, 28 and 20 yards in an 86 yard drive to push ahead, 17-0.  Thomas Burke capped the drive with a 20 yard reception.

The third quarter started with two quick change of possessions.  Kean's punt in their first series of the half was blocked and recovered by Brayden Messinger.  One play later, Taj Folyayan picked off Begen in the endzone for a Cougar touchback.

Later in the fourth quarter, TCNJ added on three more points with a 36 yard field goal from Wortman after eating up over six minutes on the clock, advancing just 17 yards.

The Lions rounded out their scoring with another Messinger blocked punt, which he turned into six points with a 20 yard return.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Meir Pittman led all players with 14 total tackles, one forced fumble, one breakup and two quarterback hurries for the Cougars.  Raymond Gorny added 13 tackles in the loss.

For TCNJ, Young finished with two interceptions and two breakups while Dave Giulian had four tackles with two sacks.  Offensively Jayson Schmidt had 112 rushing yards.

UP NEXT:

Kean travels to Christopher Newport University on Saturday.