Box Score

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey's explosive offense set off plenty of fireworks in the season opener against Buffalo State College as the Lions scored four touchdowns on plays over 40 yards to roar past the visiting Bengals, 47-31, on Saturday.

The Lions offense ignited early on as Justin Doniloski (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) busted loose for 46-yard run just 1:29 into the game.

The Bengals came right back with a 34-yard field goal by Nick Debbins (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster), but on the ensuing kickoff, TCNJ's Scotty Mathurin (Mahwah, NJ/Mahwah) went 82 yards for the score. On each TCNJ score, kicker Marc Zucconi (Marlton, NJ/Holy Cross) booted the PAT giving TCNJ the lead at 14-3.

Each team added short scoring plays later in the opening period as Willie Hordge (Buffalo, NY/Forestbrook (TX)) ran the ball in from two yards and Michael Yetka (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) countered for the hosts with a one-yard plunge.

The Bengals scored on a big play of their own early in the second quarter as Blake Malizia (Rockville Center, NY/Southside) hauled in a 50-yard touchdown pass and the PAT made it a 21-17 contest.

After the teams once again traded scores, Yetka found the end zone for the second time of the game as he darted 50 yards bumping TCNJ's advantage to 35-24. The Lions took that lead into the locker room.

In the second half, the Lions scored on an 18-yard field goal by Zucconi before the defense got involved recording a safety.

The team's final big play came on the near side as senior Bill Picatagi (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) raced 43 yards for the score.

Buffalo State tacked on one final score in the closing minutes as Rob Smith (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) caught a seven-yard pass from Kenny Murphy (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster).

TCNJ had plenty of balance on the ground as Yetka finished with 101 yards on 12 carries, while Doniloski added 74 and quarterback Chris James (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) chipped in with 51. James was also a solid 11-for-16 through the air with 109 yards.

Hordge finished with 95 yards on the ground on 11 attempts and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Murphy accounted for 222 yards through the air hitting on 21-of-39 with two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, TCNJ's Chris Jones (Greenfield, NJ/Ocean City) led all players with eight tackles (six solo and four assists), while Buffalo State's Jermaine Rose (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) and Kam Johnson (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) each finished with 5.5 apiece.

The Lions have next weekend off and return to the field on Friday, September 18 under the lights at Lions' Stadium taking on Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham. Game time is 7 p.m. The Bengals remain on the road playing at St. John Fisher College on September 12.