Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Union, N.J. (10/11/13) – The College of New Jersey scored on their opening possession in what turned out to be the only points needed in tonight's action as they topped Kean University by the final of 7-0.
The Lions (3-2, 2-0 NJAC) used a 13 play, 68 yard drive in their first drive of the day, taking over seven minutes off the clock. Faced with a fourth-and-two on the Kean 15 yard line, TCNJ elected to go for it as tailback Victor Scalici broke free and punched through for the 15 yard score.
Kean (1-4, 0-2 NJAC) had a scoring opportunity in their first possession of the night, however a 46 yard field goal attempt fell short.
Most of the rest of the contest was a battle for field position as the Cougars next best chance for points came in the third quarter. Senior Bill Cullen's 36 yard field goal attempt was blocked, negating an opportunity for Kean to get on the board.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Cougars used a balanced drive that started on their own three yard line and pushed into the red zone for just the second time on the evening. Faced with a fourth and goal on the two yard line, the Lion defense was able to keep Kean scoreless on the night, holding quarterback Robert Meade III just inches away from the goal line to seal the win with under two minutes on the clock.
In his first start of the year, Meade was 11-of-17 for 85 yards and no interceptions or sacks. Sophomore Sam Paladino completed six-of-10 passes for 55 yards and one interception for the Lions.
Senior Dwayne Brown was one of three members of Kean's defense to record six tackles on the night. Rookie Stephan Lewis provided four solo stops, including a six yard sack. Junior linebacker Ryan Lowe led all players with eight total tackles on the night for TCNJ.
On paper, Kean had more first downs (13 to 10), passing yards (85 to 51), rushing yards (137 to 129), total offense (222 to 180) and held the ball for five more minutes than TCNJ, however in the end, it was the Lions coming away with the win.
The shutout is the first for Kean since the 2010 season, where ironically it was TCNJ with a 7-0 victory on November 6th.