Buena Vista, VA ….. The College of New Jersey football team dropped a 28-21 decision to Southern Virginia University on Saturday afternoon in Buena Vista, Va.
 
The Knights scored the game's final 12 points to erase TCNJ's 21-16 lead in the third quarter. Freshman Khani Glover (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) scored his fifth rushing touchdown in the third quarter to put the Lions up five points, but the Knights scored on the ensuing  possession and tacked on another TD pass in the fourth quarter to earn their first victory of the season.
 
TCNJ (2-7, 1-5 NJAC) took a lead in the first quarter when special teams came up with a big play. Junior Evan Costello (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) drilled a 47-yard punt to the Southern Virginia three-yard line. The return was fumbled and recovered in the end zone by sophomore Alshamiere Fields (East Orange, NJ/Bethel College).
 
The Knights answered back with a TD score in the second quarter. Quarterback Mitch Stevenson drove SVU 46 yards on seven plays, capping it with a 17-yard scoring strike to Chris Harper. The Knights attempted a two-point conversion, but the rush failed.
 
The Lions got great field position midway through the half after retrieving a 22-yard punt that put them at the Knights' 36. On the second play of the series, freshman quarterback Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) connected with sophomore Jeffrey Mattonelli (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) from 36 yards out. Place kicker Colin Cazzetta (Slate Hill, NY/Minisink Valley) knocked his second extra point through the uprights and the Lions extended their lead to 14-6.
 
With 6:20 left in the opening period, Stevenson engineered an eight-play, 74-yard drive. He completed six straight passes with the last toss settling into the hands of Kyler Harris from 13 yards out for a touchdown. They converted the extra point to close the gap to 14-13.
 
The Knights made a push for more points before the half expired, but junior Sean Kley (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) picked off a pass at the Lions' 43 to keep the one-point advantage.
 
SVU took its first lead of the game when Kieren Phelps booted a 31-yard field goal just over three minutes into the third quarter. The Lion offense returned to the field and drove 58 yards on seven plays. A pass from Osler to junior Andrew Lachawiec (Belford, NJ/Middletown North) went for a 28-yard gain before Glover bolted 24 yards to the Knight one-yard line. He would later punch it in to retake the lead.
 
Stevenson threw his third and fourth touchdown passes of the game to lead the Knights to their first-ever New Jersey Athletic Conference win.
 
Sophomore Robert Burns (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) led the Lions' defense with eight tackles and also forced a fumble. Kley finished with seven tackles and an interception.
 
Mattonelli had a team-high five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Ryan Baranowky (Moorestown, NJ/Bishop Eustace) reeled in four catches for 45 yards and junior Nick Craig (Howell, NJ/Howell) had three catches for 37 yards.
 
TCNJ returns to Lions Stadium for its season finale on Friday night at 7 p.m. when they host Rowan University. They will look to play the role of spoiler as the Profs can clinch the NJAC title with a victory.