Box Score Box score

Buffalo, NY … The College of New Jersey football team rushed for over 300 yards for the second straight week as they defeated Buffalo State College 48-29.

The win marked the 199th career victory for head coach Eric Hamilton. Hamilton, who took over as head coach of the program in 1977 following an All-American career at Trenton State College, is now one win shy of 200. He ranks third amongst active coaches in Division III football in career wins.

In the win, the Lions (3-4, 3-3 NJAC) ran the ball, and then ran it some more as junior running back Joe

Falco (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) had a stellar afternoon rushing for 169 yards and three touchdowns. His 44-yard touchdown dash was the back-breaker for the Bengals, as they had just pulled to within two scores following an 85-yard kickoff return by Mike Doherty (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East).

TCNJ's defense continues to take advantage of turnovers as they intercepted three more passes (six last week) and special teams recovered a fumble on a botched punt return as Patrick Chirchirillo (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley) pounced on it in the end zone for a pivotal touchdown. Sophomore Greg Burns (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) had a monster game at the linebacker position leading the Lions with 13 tackles, an interception, and a pass break-up.

TCNJ opened the scoring midway through the first period on a 22-yard field goal by Tyler Olsson (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick). They set the tone for the game on offense driving 63 yards on 12 plays, nine of which were rushes by Falco.

The Lions stretched the lead to 10-0 after senior Dean Misiura (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) intercepted a pass and returned it to midfield. Three plays later, junior quarterback James Donoghue (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) hit sophomore wide receiver William Friedrich (Berlin, NJ/East Stroudsburg South) with a 49-yard touchdown pass.

Buffalo State (1-6, 1-5 NJAC) responded with a pair of touchdowns and after converting on a two-point conversion, held a 15-10 lead. TCNJ continued to run the ball, and after another Olsson field goal and Falco's second touchdown, headed to the locker room holding a 20-15 advantage.

Midway through the third period, a stalled drive by the Lions set up one of the biggest plays of the game. After being stopped on 3rd and 1 on their own 42-yard line, Hamilton elected to punt. Olsson boomed a 46-yard punt that was fumbled by the Jarrett Smith (Beacon, NY/Beacon) and recovered by Chirchirillo for a touchdown, giving TCNJ a 27-15 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Buffalo quarterback Ryan Lehotsky (N. Royalton, OH/N. Royalton) had his pass intercepted by Burns at the Bengals 22. Falco pounded away for his second touchdown score from six yards out to make a 34-15 game. Falco then iced the game with his third touchdown of the day and team-leading 7th of the season.

The quarterback duo of Donoghue and sophomore Nicholas Tyson (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Boro) combined for over 100 yards on the ground. Donoghue had a 10-yard TD scamper and Tyson rushed for 57 yards on 12 carries. Junior Scotty Mathurin (Mahwah, NJ/Mahwah) chipped in with 31 yards on six carries.

Junior Shawn Brown (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) picked off his third pass of the season, returning it 27 yards, and junior Derek Goreczny (Somerville, NJ/Hunterdon Central) had nine tackles on defense. The Lions are now plus-15 in turnovers this season.

Lehotsky threw for 245 yards on 21 of 36 passing and Jarrett Smith had six catches for 110 yards.

TCNJ will attempt to win its third in a row and 200th of Hamilton's career at Western Connecticut State on Saturday, October 30 at noon. The Lions return home on Saturday, November 6th against Kean University, which is also Take a Kid to a Game Day.