Ewing, NJ ….. Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham stopped The College of New Jersey on a potential game-winning drive in the closing seconds as the Devils spoiled the home opener for the Lions on Friday at Lions' Stadium by a score of 18-12.
 
Trailing by six, the Lions gained possession with 4:05 left on their own 32 after a pass break-up on fourth down by TCNJ's Matthew Chierici (Towaco, NJ/Montville).
 
The Lions marched into Devil territory and made two key fourth-down conversions on their final drive. Quarterback Chris Spellman (Mount Laurel, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) moved the chains both times with his feet running for first downs. TCNJ drove to the Devil 31, but FDU-Florham's Ryan Rodriguez (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Catholic) intercepted a Spellman pass at the 14 with 16 seconds left on the clock to protect that lead.
 
The loss dropped the Lions to 0-2 on the season, while this was the season opener for the FDU-Florham.
 
The only points in the first quarter came via special teams when FDU-Florham's Mike Brown (Freehold, NJ/Colts Neck) blocked a Lion punt through the end zone resulting in a safety and a 2-0 lead.
 
The second quarter featured both teams finding the end zone, with the Devils hitting pay dirt twice and the Lions once. The first of those scores came when FDU-Florham quarterback Michael Santos (North Arlington, NJ/St. Mary's) crossed the goal line on a sneak 5:04 into the period. That score was set up by an interception by junior Mickey Weiks (Wharton, NJ/Morris Knolls).
 
TCNJ countered with a 47-yard touchdown through the air as Spellman threw a strike over the middle to Kyle Janeczek (Allenwood, NJ/Wall). Janeczek made a nice grab reaching up for the ball and then outran the Devil defense for the touchdown. That left the hosts trailing 8-6.
 
FDU-Florham took advantage of another interception, this one by Robert Loneker (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley). Santos guided his team to a 15-8 lead with a 17-yard pass to running back Craig Kimbrough (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Catholic).
 
TCNJ's defense came up with a huge play in the third quarter when Ryan Lowe (Howell, NJ/Howell) intercepted a Santos pass at the Devil 47 and raced up the near sideline for a pick-six. That scored closed the gap to 15-12.
 
FDU-Florham got three of those points back thanks to a 31-yard field goal by sophomore Sean Gavin (Upton, MA/St. John's Shrewsbury) extending the margin to 18-12.
 
The Devils benefitted from six TCNJ turnovers in the game.
 
Janeczek topped the Lions in receptions for TCNJ with five for 89 yards, while junior defensive lineman Shaun O'Donnell (Succuasunna, NJ/Roxbury) had a team-high eight tackles, including five solo ones.
 
Santos threw for 252 yards through the air with 22 completions and a touchdown.
 
Up next for the Lions is bye weekend, before playing their final non-conference game of the year hosting Southern Virginia University on September 28. The Devils are home a week from tonight, opening conference play against Stevenson University at 7 p.m.