/seasons/2023/boxscores/20231021_okut.xml
2023
Game Leaders
William Paterson
Pa:
Christopher Leimberg - 220
Ru:
Isaac Cherry - 64
Rec:
Taz Burton - 116
Montclair State
Pa:
Aidan McLaughlin - 112
Ru:
Abellany Mendez - 119
Rec:
Clarence Wilkins - 64
Team Stats
Montclair State
William Paterson
Passing Yards
168
220
Rushing Yards
205
63
Turnovers
3
2
Time of Poss.
35:21
24:39
More news about: William Paterson
WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson football team (2-5, 1-2 NJAC) was edged out by Montclair State (4-3, 3-1 NJAC) on Homecoming Oct. 21, 14-13.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Senior Devyn Blount ended the Red Hawks' second possession of the day with an interception, his fifth of the season, and the two teams ended the first quarter deadlocked at 0-0.
- The Red Hawks missed a 22-yard field goal midway through the second period, but found the end zone with a four-yard carry to finish off their next drive, making it a 7-0 game 1:18 before halftime.
- The next time the Pioneers snapped the ball junior quarterback Christopher Leimberg hit senior Taz Burton in stride over the top, a 70-yard touchdown with 58 seconds on the clock. Junior Jorge Leones kicked the PAT and it was a 7-7 score heading into the break.
- WP looked like it was getting the ball back after junior linebacker Samod Wingo's sack jarred the ball loose, but the Pioneers were flagged for an illegal kick of the bouncing ball, giving it back to MSU. However, sophomore linebacker Jayce Harmon later forced a fumble at the WP-10 that was recovered by junior defensive lineman Nick Bianco to keep Montclair State off the scoreboard with 4:00 left in the third.
- Sophomore Knasir Alston's interception handed William Paterson the ball at the MSU-39 with 9:31 to play in the fourth quarter, and Leimberg immediately took a shot at the end zone. Senior Matt Clarke fought off his defender to snag the pass near the left pylon, pushing the Pioneers ahead by a 13-7 count. The PAT was blocked, keeping it a six-point margin.
- The WP defense got off the field on a fourth-and-five incompletion, but William Paterson was later forced to punt, giving Montclair State the ball at its own 16-yard line with 4:30 remaining. The Red Hawks capped a six-play, 84-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown run and successfully kicked the extra point for a 14-13 margin with 2:24 on the clock.
- A final Red Hawk interception in the end zone on fourth down ended WP's comeback hopes.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Leimberg finished 10-for-26 for 220 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
- Burton caught four passes for 116 yards and a score, and Clarke hauled in six passes for 104 yards and a TD. Sophomore Isaac Cherry carried 13 times for 64 yards.
- Wingo led the defense with a career-best 12 tackles (2.5 TFL, 1.0 sack), his fourth career double-digit effort.
- Junior defensive lineman Jamar Cuffee made a career-high seven stops.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will celebrate Senior Day Saturday, Oct. 28, prior to kickoff against Christopher Newport at 1:00 p.m.
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