Union, N.J. (11/4/23) – The Rowan University football team defeated host Kean University by the final of 16-6 on Saturday afternoon.
The Profs (4-5, 3-2 NJAC) scored on their second possession of the game. Faced with a 2nd and 14 in their own territory, Nate Maiers found Shane Martin for a 54 yard reception to set up excellent field position. James Fara then pushed his way down the field and on four straight plays and crossed the endzone on a five yard rush. Connor Batten added the extra point as Rowan led 7-0.
Rowan added three more on their next possession with an 11 play, 65 yard drive. The Cougars were able to stall the drive inside the 10 yard line as Marlon Boston had three straight rushes but couldn't find the endzone. Batten then knocked in the 20 yarder for a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Cougars had a scoring opportunity in the second quarter but a tipped ball in the endzone led to a Profs interception and touchback.
Later in the quarter, Rowan took advantage of a bad snap as Chris Rodgers scooped up the loose ball and scampered in for a 12 yard fumble recovery touchdown. The ensuing extra point failed.
George Chrissafis later pinned the Profs deep in their own territory and the defense striped the ball away from Boston two plays later. Nick Atchison recovered putting Kean at the Rowan eight yard line. Christian Rando found Dazzy Iannuzzio on the very next play for a Cougar touchdown. Kean elected to try for two points, but failed.
That would be all the scoring in the game as neither team was able to score in the second half.
Rando was 16-of-32 for 162 yards and one touchdown. Iannuzzio finished with 57 receiving yards on six catches with a touchdown.
For the Profs, Fara finished with 98 rushing yards and a touchdown and Martin recorded 82 receiving yards on five catches.
Defensively Raymond Gorny led Kean with 12 tackles while Robert Long Jr. added nine tackles and a forced fumble. Overall the Kean defense forced three fumbles on the day.
Chrissafis averaged 48 yards a punt with a long of 67 on the afternoon. Three of his punts were 50+ yards and two fell inside the 20.
Kean closes out the season on the road in Salisbury next Friday evening.
