/seasons/2022/boxscores/20221001_hy36.xml
2022
Game Leaders
Kean
Pa:
Robbie Nungesser - 91
Ru:
Robbie Nungesser - 27
Rec:
Donte Jamison - 52
William Paterson
Pa:
Mele Stallings - 131
Ru:
Nazir Dale - 55
Rec:
Matt Clarke - 64
Team Stats
William Paterson
Kean
Passing Yards
131
91
Rushing Yards
105
66
Turnovers
2
2
Time of Poss.
31:47
26:46
UNION, N.J. – The William Paterson football team stayed red hot and captured its third consecutive victory after besting Kean (1-4, 0-1 NJAC), 22-15, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener on Oct. 1.
It marks the first time since the 2010 campaign that the Pioneers (4-1, 1-0 NJAC) began conference play with a win, and the longest win streak for the program since 2005.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Kean started its first drive of the game at the 50-yard line and needed just six plays to march down the field and score a touchdown.
- The Pioneers were forced to punt after going three-and-out on the ensuing possession and Kean began the drive at the William Paterson 47. However, after the Cougars used two plays to generate a first down, sophomore defensive back Jojo Kirby picked off the Kean quarterback and took it 70 yards into the end zone for the score.
- William Paterson got the ball right back after rookie James Nevels forced a fumble on the kickoff return and junior Kyron Paige recovered it. The turnover proved to be a costly one for Kean as a Mele' Stallings 28-yard pass to sophomore Tye Brookins set up the Pioneers near the goal line before freshman Nazir Dale punched in the score on fourth-and-one to put the Pioneers up 14-6.
- Kean trimmed the deficit to five following a 34-yard field goal midway through the second quarter and later took a 15-14 lead with 11 minutes to go in the third on a 35-yard touchdown catch and score.
- William Paterson remained behind and got the ball with 1:48 left to play in the game and the ball on its own 35-yard line. Stallings completed three passes, each going for double-digit yards, before finding junior Matt Clarke for a game-winning 23-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The Pioneers picked up their first win in a conference opener since topping TCNJ on Sept. 3, 2010.
- William Paterson's three-game win streak is the longest since the program won three straight to close out the 2005 campaign.
- The Pioneers are off to their best start to a season since the 2010 team opened the year with a 4-1 record.
- Stallings recorded his first career 100-yard passing game after finishing with 131 yards through the air.
- He notched his third passing touchdown of the season.
- Dale rushed for a team-high 55 yards and scored in his third consecutive outing. He now has four touchdowns in the last three games.
- Clarke finished with a team-best five receptions and 64 yards.
- He caught his first touchdown of the season and the 10th of his career.
- Junior Samod Wingo tallied a sack and led all Pioneers with 11 tackles, tying his career-best mark.
- Kirby logged his first interception and touchdown of the season.
- Three different Pioneers notched a sack.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson returns home on Oct. 8 to welcome Salisbury to Wightman Stadium for a 1 p.m. tilt.
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