Union, N.J. (9/2/23) – The Kean University football team suffered an opening day defeat to SUNY Morrisville by the final of 24-14.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After both teams went four and out in their first possessions it was the Mustangs who converted first as Steven Frerichs found Jarrell Chaney deep in Cougar territory for a 45 yard strike setting up first and goal.  One play later, Ed-son Jean-Baptiste completed the four yard catch for the first lead of the day.

At the start of the second quarter it was another long ball, this time a 44 yard pass to Xavier Gaines that brought the Mustangs inches from the endzone.  But the Cougar defense held and forced two incomplete passes and stalled rush.  Morrisville settled for the short field goal off the boot of Owen Cole to take a 10-0 lead.

Later in the same quarter, Morrisville started with good field position near midfield and after converting a third and four took the very next play 31 yards off a catch from Chaney for Morrisville's second touchdown of the day.

The Cougars came out of halftime with renewed energy and marched 80 yards on 10 plays, capped by a four yard completion from Robbie Nungesser to Anthony Summey to pull within 10 (17-7).

Morrisville scored one more time to open the fourth quarter. A 20 yard completion to Gaines put the Mustangs just outside the redzone and runs from Alex McBurnie and Frerichs gave Morrisville a 24-7 advantage. 

Later in the quarter the Cougars scored what would be the last time for either team on the day as they drove 62 yards on 10 plays including an 11 yard rush from Julian Jones, a 15 yard scamper from Nungesser and an acrobatic catch in the endzone from Alex Bryant.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Nungesser completed 11 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns with 57 yards on the ground.  Dazzy Iannuzzio made three catches for 43 yards.

Defensively Gabe Robles had a team-best eight tackles while adding two breakups.

For the Mustangs, Frerichs was 18-for-29 for 235 yards and two touchdowns.  He added 52 yards on the ground.  Chaney finished the game with six catches for 97 yards.  Evan Salvaggio led the Morrisville defense with nine tackles and a breakup.

UP NEXT:

Kean heads to the road to face Ursinus College next Saturday.