/seasons/2023/boxscores/20230916_z484.xml
2023
Game Leaders
William Paterson
Pa:
Christopher Leimberg - 153
Ru:
Isaac Cherry - 39
Rec:
Taz Burton - 118
McDaniel
Pa:
Eric Grinwis - 213
Ru:
Trent Gaskins - 118
Rec:
Hunter Sigler - 83
Team Stats
McDaniel
William Paterson
Passing Yards
213
153
Rushing Yards
120
6
Turnovers
8
1
Time of Poss.
39:47
20:08
WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (1-2) got touchdowns from all three phases, pulling away from visiting McDaniel (0-3) for a 35-14 football victory Sept. 16 at Wightman Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Junior defensive back Jojo Kirby ended McDaniel's first possession by forcing a fumble that senior defensive lineman Yubir Rojas-Herrera scooped up and rumbled 65 yards up the left sideline for his first career touchdown, putting WP on the scoreboard first. Freshman Robert Crehan kicked the PAT and the Pioneers owned a 7-0 advantage at the 13:16 mark of the first quarter.
- The Green Terror knotted the score at 7-7 with 2:39 remaining in the second period, but freshman Nafee Finney returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to the end zone, and William Paterson carried the 14-7 lead into the break.
- Senior defensive lineman Ricky Colon forced a fumble that was recovered by junior defensive lineman Nick Bianco at the McDaniel-32, and on the very next play junior quarterback Christopher Leimberg connected with senior wide receiver Taz Burton, cashing in the turnover for another seven points and a 21-7 advantage (10:00, third).
- Sophomore Knasir Alston ended McDaniel's punt return by jarring the ball loose, leading to a James Nevels recovery at the WP-14. Leimberg hit Burton with a quick out to the right side, and he turned it upfield and raced 86 yards for his second touchdown of the day and a 28-7 margin with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.
- McDaniel's 11-yard pass play cut the lead to 28-14 (7:51, fourth).
- Senior defensive back Devyn Blount's 25-yard pick-six pushed WP ahead by a 35-14 count with 2:29 to play.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Leimberg finished 7-for-15 for 153 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
- Sophomore Isaac Cherry led the ground game with 23 yards on five attempts.
- Burton hauled in two passes for 118 yards and a pair of scores.
- Senior linebacker Alajuwon Bell paced the defense with a career-best 12 tackles (nine solo).
- Blount added five solo stops to his fumble recovery and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He's now had at least one interception during each of WP's three games this season.
- Nevels and senior defensive back RJ Massey each picked off a pass, and Nevels tacked on a fumble recovery.
- Kirby forced a fumble and made nine tackles, including 2.0 sacks. Junior linebacker Samod Wingo also collected nine stops.
- The Pioneer defense forced eight turnovers (four fumbles, four interceptions).
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will enjoy a bye week before starting conference play Saturday, Sept. 30, at home against Kean at 1:00 p.m.
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