Box Score Box Score

FINAL SCORE; The College of New Jersey 24, William Paterson University 7
William Paterson University (2-4, 1-4 NJAC) vs. The College of New Jersey (3-3, 3-2 NJAC)
October 18, 2008; Lions' Stadium; Ewing, NJ

Ewing, NJ (10/18/08) – The College of New Jersey gave the large homecoming crowd a reason to celebrate as the Lions scored 21 points in the second half en route to a 24-7 win over visiting William Paterson University on Saturday.

Prior to the game, 1983 Heisman Trophy Winner, Mike Rozier (formerly of Camden, NJ/Woodrow Wilson) participated in a pre-game coin toss with college president, Dr. R. Barbara Gitenstein and the team's captains. Rozier was on hand recognizing Lions' Stadium being the first facility to install Tiger Turf's Trophy Turf.

Saturday's contest marked the 125th varsity football game in Lions' Stadium since it opened on Sept. 14, 1984. TCNJ has compiled a record of 76-47-2 against all foes. In their facility debut, the Lions fell 26-17 to William Paterson, but have since combined for a .616 win percentage in the facility.

The game with the Pioneers marked the 37th time these two teams have met on the gridiron. The first meeting was in 1972 and since then, the Lions have compiled a 31-5-1 edge over the Pioneers and have now won 15 straight over WPU.

After the Pioneers led 7-3 at the half, the Lions got its offense going in the third quarter as running back Michael Yetka (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) scampered 19-yards for a touchdown late in the period. Junior kicker Marc Zucconi (Marlton, NJ/Holy Cross) booted the PAT giving TCNJ the lead at 10-7.

In the fourth quarter, the Lions took to the air for a pair of scores as junior quarterback Chris James (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) first hooked up with Mark Garnder (Flemington, NJ/Bishop Dunne (TX)) and then Colin Weber (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood). Gardner's scoring play covered 48 yards, while Weber's was from nine-yards out. Zucconi was successful on both PATs pushing to TCNJ's cushion to 24-7.

The Lion defense then sealed the win as senior Dave Fontoura (Roseland, NJ/West Essex) intercepted a Pioneer pass in the waning minutes.

TCNJ had big game on the ground as junior Chase Misiura (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) rushed for 114 yards on 22 carries, while Yetka also eclipsed the 100-yard mark finishing with 109 yards and a score on 12 attempts.

James added to TCNJ's offense with 168 passing yards hitting on 14-of-24 attempts and two touchdowns.

Not to be outdone, William Paterson's Marcus McKinney (Paterson, NJ/John F. Kennedy) also ran for more than 100 yards rambling for 104 yards on 19 rushes.

The defenses for both teams dictated play in the first limiting each other to one score apiece. The Lions opened the scoring as Zucconi punched through a 27-yard field goal with less than five minutes expired off of the clock.

William Paterson erased that deficit in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Marshall (Burlington, NJ/Burlington City) threw a short pass to Victor Soares (Paterson, NJ/Monmouth Regional) in the far flat and the Pioneer receiver stretched the ball over the pylon for a touchdown. That scoring play covered nine yards and Dom Busto (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes) kicked the PAT putting the visitors in front 7-3 with 13:15 left in the half.

In the first half, each team also forced a turnover as TCNJ's Ryan Flannery (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) intercepted a Pioneer pass in the opening quarter, while William Paterson got one of its own in the second as Thomas Guaschino (Guttenburg, NJ/North Bergen) picked off a Lion pass attempt.

Defensively for the Lions, senior Marc Fabiano (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) had a huge game with 3.5 sacks and eight tackles. Dan Polles (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) also played well finishing with a game-high 13 tackles.

For the Pioneers, freshman Doug Dudek (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) led the team with nine tackles and senior Mike Lamego (North Arlington, NJ/Queen of Peace) finished with eight.

Marshall finished the game going 16-for-35 through the air for the Pioneers racking up 221 yards.

The Lions continue NJAC play on Saturday, October 25 heading to Montclair State University for a 6 p.m. start, while William Paterson remains on the road heading to SUNY Cortland for a 1 p.m. contest.