Box Score Box Score

Union, NJ … The College of New Jersey football team's winning streak started with a great running performance and ended with a great running performance. Only this time, the pigskin was being carried by the opposition.

Jared Chunn (Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Regional) ran for 210 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns to lead Kean University to a 28-7 victory over TCNJ. The loss was the first of the season for the Lions (3-1, 2-1 NJAC) as their explosive offense met a dampening Cougar defense.

In a match-up featuring the top-ranked offense in Division III football in TCNJ and a stingy Cougars defense (ranked second in the conference), the first quarter went by way of the host. The Lions moved the ball down the field, but at the end of the first period, the game was scoreless. The Cougars (3-1, 3-0 NJAC) stopped TCNJ on two critical fourth down plays deep in their territory to gain momentum.

After stopping TCNJ on a 4th-and-1 at the Kean 1 yard-line by forcing a fumble, the Cougars took the momentum and ran with it. After converting on a third-and-eight with a 29-yard completion to Chris Aquino (Somerville, NJ/Somerville), quarterback Tom D'Ambrisi (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) hit Chunn with a 5-yard pass. Chunn then took the next hand-off 62 yards for the touchdown giving the Cougars a 7-0 lead.

The Lions came back immediately with a seven-play, 69-yard scoring drive capped off by a 5-yard touchdown pass from senior Chris James (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) to Colin Weber (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood). Senior Marc Zucconi (Marlton, NJ/Holy Cross) added the extra point to make it a 7-7 score.

The TCNJ defense forced their second, 'three-and-out' series of the half that would have set up great field position for the Lions. But a 63-yard punt by Billy Daniels (Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Memorial) pushed TCNJ back to their 14 yard-line to start the drive. After three completions and a 13-yard rush by sophomore Justin Dolinoski (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills), James was intercepted by Andre Dozier at the Lions 30. D'Ambrisi quickly hit Matt Puorro (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) four plays later with a 21-yard scoring strike as Kean took a 14-7 lead into the intermission.

Things never got rolling for the Lions offense in the second half. They received the ball first to open the third quarter and marched 42 yards to the Kean 39. On third-and-seven, however, James was sacked for a 14-yard loss and lost the football that was recovered by the Cougar defense. Two plays later, Chunn rumbled 36 yards for his second score of the game.

The TCNJ defense did provide a spark when Wilfredo Rosado (Titusville, NJ/Notre Dame) forced a fumble late in the third period that was recovered by Shawn Brown (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) at the Kean 40. But the offense was unable to capitalize and the Cougar rushing game that devoured 307 yards on the night ate up the play-clock. Derric Harris (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Township) finished off a 13-play, 98-yard scoring drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 28-7.

James finished the game 24-of-41 for 234 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. His 11-yard pass to Doniloski late in the first quarter was the 384th completion of his career breaking the all-time record previousl held by  Bob Schurtz. Weber led all receivers with 69 yards on seven catches and a touchdown. Chase Misiura (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) had a solid running game rushing for 43 yards on eight carries.

Matthew Kreider (Delran, NJ/Delran) had a strong game on defense racking up 11 tackles (9 solo) to match teammate Joseph Spahn (Burlington, NJ/Florence) who also totaled 11 tackles (9 solo). Sophomore linebacker Daniel DeCongelio (Hasbrouck Heights, NJ/St. Peters Prep) had seven tackles (6 solo) while senior captain Craig Meyer (Far Hills, NJ/Bernards) had five tackles ( 4 solo) including a big stop on Chunn on fourth down at the TCNJ five yard-line.

The Lions return to their home turf next Saturday when they host The College at Brockport. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Lions' Stadium.