Box Score

Ewing, NJ ….. For the first time in program history The College of New Jersey hosted the defending national champion on the gridiron when the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater visited Lions Stadium on Saturday.
 
The Warhawks showcased why they are also the top-ranked program in Division III as they powered their way past TCNJ for a 48-0 win.
 
Wisconsin-Whitewater has won four of the last five national championships and extended the longest winning streak in Division III to 20 straight dating back to the 2012 season.
 
The Warhawks scored four touchdowns in the opening half and added three more in the second.
 
TCNJ had an excellent start taking the opening kickoff deep into Warhawk territory advancing all the way to the one-yard line. TCNJ's drive lasted 13 plays for 74 and ate up more than five minutes on the clock, but Whitewater forced a turnover to get its initial possession.
 
The Warhawks took advantage of that turnover with a 99-yard drive that ended on a six-yard run by junior Nick Patterson (Sussex, WI/Hamilton).
 
That was the first of four touchdowns the visitors would score in the opening half as they carried a 27-0 lead into the break.
 
TCNJ's special teams added a big play late in the half to stop a Warhawk drive when senior defensive back Joseph Urciuoli (Matawan, NJ/Matawan) blocked a field goal that was scooped up by junior Martin Flatley (Plainsboro, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro South) and returned into Whitewater territory.
 
Paterson also opened the scoring in the second half as he race into the end zone on a five-yard play midway through the period.
 
Wisconsin tacked on two more ground scores in the fourth to round out the scoring.
 
Junior linebacker Sean Kley (Titusville, NJ/Hopewell Valley) had a nice game for the Lions with a career-best 15 tackles, with 10 of them of the solo variety. Sophomore Drew Dickison (Tewksbury, NJ/North Hunterdon) added eight tackles for TCNJ.
 
Lion running back Matthew Popek (Newton, NJ/Newton) made his first career start in the backfield and finished with a team-leading 51 yards on 16 carries.
 
Quarterback Michael Marchesano (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) threw for 76 yards with co-captain Ryan Baranowsky (Moorestown, NJ/Bishop Eustace) and Jeff Mattonelli (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) each hauling in four receptions.
 
Paterson finished with 101 yards on 11 carries, while senior quarterback Matt Behrendt (Westchester, IL/Nazareth Academy) was a very efficient 19-of-28 for 265 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Receiver Jake Kumerow (Bartlett, IL/South Elgin) had a big game going for 184 yards on nine catches and a score.
 
Both teams will have a bye next week with the Lions opening New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Saturday, October 4 at Morrisville State, while the Warhawks begin their conference slate that same day hosting University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.