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William Paterson Carries Lead into Fourth Quarter but Can’t Hold Off Salisbury Late

More news about: William Paterson

SALISBURY, Md. – William Paterson (2-3, 1-1 NJAC) held a lead after three quarters, but a late rally by host Salisbury (2-3, 1-1 NJAC) allowed the Sea Gulls to escape with a 36-19 football victory Oct. 7.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • The game was scoreless after the first quarter, as the two defenses forced a series of punts.
  • An interception set Salisbury up at the WP-11 less than three minutes into the second quarter. The WP defense held firm, forcing a 23-yard field goal that handed SU a 3-0 edge.
  • Senior defensive lineman Yubir Rojas-Herrera later came up with a sack on fourth-and-seven, giving the Pioneers the ball near midfield. A 35-yard pass from junior Chris Leimberg to senior Matt Clarke made it first-and-goal, and eventually the pair connected for a six-yard touchdown. The PAT was no good, and WP owned a 6-3 advantage with 2:22 on the clock.
  • Another Salisbury field goal, this one from 33 yards, knotted the score at 6-6 two seconds before halftime.
  • A bad toss on the option was scooped up by junior defensive back Jojo Kirby, who scampered 29 yards for a touchdown. Freshman Ribert Crehan's extra point was successful, and the Pioneers jumped ahead by a 13-6 count with 13:33 remaining in the third quarter.
  • The Sea Gulls leveled the score with a 12-yard run (13-13, 7:06), but WP answered with a seven-play, 58-yard drive capped by a one-yard pass by Leimberg to Clarke, making it a 19-13 score at the 3:13 mark of the third. The PTA was blocked and returned by Salisbury for two points, leaving it a 19-15 game.
  • Salisbury pulled ahead thanks to a 15-yard pass play early in the fourth quarter (22-19, 14:12), and got the ball right back when the Pioneers fumbled the ensuing kickoff return. A one-yard touchdown run extended the SU lead to 29-19 (12:26).
  • William Paterson had a chance to get back into it, but after a 48-yard completion was fumbled and recovered by Salisbury at its own nine-yard line.
  • The Sea Gulls finished the scoring with a three-yard rush with 26 seconds remaining (36-19).

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

  • Leimberg finished 16-for-28 for 191 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
  • Clarke caught six passes for 70 yards and two scores. Sophomore Isaac Cherry ran nine times for 39 yards.
  • Senior defensive lineman Daquan Knight made a career-best 13 tackles (1.0 TFL). Junior linebacker Samod Wingo and sophomore linebacker Jayce Harmon each made a season-high 10 stops.
  • Rojas-Herrera contributed nine tackles, including 4.0 for a loss and 1.5 sacks.
  • WP's defense has now accounted for five touchdowns this season.

 

UP NEXT:

  • William Paterson will play its second straight road game, taking on Ursinus Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1:00 p.m.

 

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
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