GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University football team defeated New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent William Paterson University, 33-14 on Saturday afternoon.
The Profs improve to 3-2 overall and they are 2-0 in the conference. The Pioneers drop to 2-3 with a 0-2 NJAC record.
Rowan running back Withler Marcelin (jr. Ocean Twp., NJ/Ocean Twp.) rushed for 168 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Running back Jahsiem Rover (fr. Burlington Twp., NJ/Burlington Twp.) added 39 yards on 10 attempts. Quarterback Bill McCarty (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) was 13-of-19 for 129 yards and two TDs. Wide receivers Todd Guillaume (jr. Irvington, NJ/Immaculate Conception) and Russ Forchion (jr. Clementon, NJ/Hammonton) had one score apiece. Kicker Tyler Knighton (fr. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) was 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, setting the school record for field goals in a game. Five different players held the previous record of three. He also tied the University mark with 15 points (4 FGs, 3 PATs).
Linebackers Tyler Jenkins (sr. Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) and Darren Dungee (jr. Morristown, NJ/Morristown) had 11 and eight tackles respectively. Jenkins had 3.5 tackles for a loss (20) and 1.5 sacks (13). Defensive end Chris Alvarez (sr. Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) recorded seven tackles, three for a loss (15) and one sack (12). Free safety Kurt Kingett (gr. Sewell, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) produced two interceptions while cornerback Eddie Davis (jr. Camden, NJ/Camden) picked off one pass.
For the Pioneers, running back Matt Deiana (jr. Somers, NY/Somers) carried the ball 15 times for 61 yards. Quarterback Austin Fellows (fr. Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) completed 16 passes in 26 attempts with 266 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Darius Kersey (jr. Dover, NJ/Dover) had four receptions for 108 yards and a score. Wide receiver Anthony DiMarsico (jr. Stony Point, NY/Suffern) had a touchdown.
Linebackers Carlo Caponetta (jr. Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) and Ben Allen (sr. Ventnor, NJ/Atlantic City) tallied eight tackles apiece. Defensive lineman Trevor Sackawitch (sr. Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Darrius Flowers (so. Vineland, NJ/Vineland).
Marcelin returned the opening kickoff 50 yards to the Pioneers' 39 yard line. The Profs took six plays to find the end zone. McCarty hit Guillaume for a nine-yard score. William Paterson's first drive was stalled when Kingett picked off Fellows and brought it back to the Pioneers' 37 yard line. The William Paterson defense forced Rowan back 10 yards and the Profs had to punt. The Pioneers' offense reached the Rowan 46 yard line before having to punt.
The ensuing drive by the Profs reached the William Paterson 25 yard line and Knighton nailed a 42-yard field goal (10:47) and the score was 10-0. The Pioneers went three-and-out on the following drive. The Profs reached the William Paterson 20 yard line before failing to convert a fourth down play. The Pioneers drove to the Rowan 46 yard line before Davis intercepted Fellows to end the period.
William Paterson began the second half with a six-play drive to the Profs' 41-yard line before punting. The Rowan offense started its drive at its own eight-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Marcelin broke through for a 92-yard touchdown. Knighton's extra point made the score 17-0 with 11:00 left in the third quarter. The Pioneers were stopped at their own 40-yard line on the next drive. Punter Pat Moran's (so. Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat) kick hit the back of a William Paterson lineman and the Profs started at the Pioneers' 31. The drive ended with a 29-yard field goal by Knighton (5:59). William Paterson then needed just three plays to hit pay dirt. Fellows found DiMarsico for a 59-yard TD. The point after made the score 20-7 with 4:57 remaining in the third.
The Profs sustained an eight-play, 52-yard drive into the fourth quarter. McCarty passed 11 yards to Forchion for a touchdown. After Knighton's PAT, Rowan had a 27-7 lead. Fellows was intercepted on the next drive by Kingett and the Profs were set up at the William Paterson 19. Knighton booted a 27-yard field goal for a 30-7 advantage. The Rowan defense stopped the Pioneers on a fourth-and-two at the William Paterson 30-yard line. Knighton converted his fourth field goal with a 23-yarder (5:39). The Pioneers found the end zone again with a 68-yard pass from Fellows to Kersey with 4:39 left.
Rowan plays Morrisville State College on Homecoming on Saturday, October 18 at 2 p.m.