Box Score Game box score

Florham, NJ... The College of New Jersey football team dropped a 24-23 heartbreaker in overtime to Farleigh Dickinson-Florham in Florham Park, NJ.

The non-conference battle went into overtime after TCNJ tied the score late in the third quarter at 17 on a Justin Doniloski (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) touchdown run. The Devils struck for a 25-yard touchdown pass on their first overtime possession, which was matched by the Lions when sophomore quarterback Nicholas Tyson (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Boro) ran the ball in from four yards out. But a failed extra point attempt gave FDU the victory despite a valiant effort by TCNJ.

Tyson had a standout game for the Lions rushing for 113 yards on 22 carries. He also completed nine passes on 18 attempts for 53 yards.

Doniloski's return also sparked the Lions offense as he rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries. Sophomore Chris Meliado (Ridgefield Park, NJ/St. Peters Prep) had three catches for 31 yards, while sophomore James Siracusa (Newfoundland, NJ/Newfoundland) also had three grabs for 20 yards.

FDU got off to a hot start taking a 10-0 lead on its first two possessions. Brendon Griffin rumbled 27 yards for an opening drive score at the 11:25 mark of the first quarter. Travis Mullen then converted on a 23-yard field goal attempt to push the lead to ten.

The Lions' defense came up with a big play to spark TCNJ and got head coach Eric Hamilton's squad back in the game. Junior Shawn Brown (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) picked off a Matt Jeffers pass and returned it 30 yards into the end zone to close the gap to 10-7.

Jeffers came back to hit Tim Grey with a 29-yard scoring strike for his fifth touchdown pass of the season. TCNJ kicker Tyler Olsson (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) booted a 37-yard field goal with a second left on the clock to make it a 17-10 game at the intermission.

After missing the opening game with a leg injury, Doniloski put his stamp on the 2010 season running the football in from three yards out to tie the score 17-17 with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter. Both teams had opportunities to put points up in the final quarter, but were unable to capitalize.

The Lions defense held the Devils scoreless through the second half and was led by Brown who finished the game 10 tackles (5 solo), an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble, and had a sack for a two yard loss. Sophomore linebacker Greg Burns (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) topped the defense with 12 tackles (6 solo). 

Junior Phil Gatti (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) also had a productive night making five tackles, a forcing a fumble, and a had pass break-up. His biggest play came late in the fourth quarter when he blocked a 25-yard field goal attempt with 1:21 remaining in regulation to help force overtime. 

The Lions will stay on the road in search of their first win next week, traveling to The College at Brockport in Brockport, NY. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 25.