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Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey football team visits Wesley College this Saturday as they reach the midpoint of their 2016 campaign. The Lions (0-4) look to bounce back from a disappointing performance last weekend, when they dropped a 41-6 decision to Salisbury University.
 
It has been a challenging start for TCNJ, squaring off against opponents who own a collective record of 14-3. Three of those opponents were ranked in the top 25 when they matched up, and they will now face a Wolverines squad that was ranked 17^th to open the season. Wesley dropped two of its first three decisions, but rebounded from their latest loss to Christopher Newport with a 63-9 win over Southern Virginia University last Saturday.
 
The Lions need to take stat sheets and throw them out the window entering this contest. They can leave the numbers on paper where they belong and focus on executing on the field. The TCNJ defense that was on display against Kean and Christopher Newport has to bring it's 'A' game on Saturday. In those two contests, the Lions allowed early first-quarter touchdowns and then shut down the Cougar and Captain offenses. That type of containment will allow the TCNJ offensive unit to field as many reps as possible. The more snaps on offense, the more opportunities to build a rhythm and establish a productive presence on the grid iron.
 
Junior running back Khani Glover is due to break out and make some noise. History indicates that Glover will make some big plays that eat up yardage and put points on the board as he has four career TD scores of 30 yards or more. Wide receiver Jeff Mattonelli caught his first touchdown pass of the season last week. He snared a scoring pass out of the throwing hand of quarterback Trevor Osler. Those three players can provide the spark that gets the cylinders pumping on offense for the Lions.
 
Points are a must to come out on top against Wesley. Despite owning a .500 record, the Wolverines are averaging 37.0 points per game, second highest in the NJAC. Similar to the Salisbury performance last wekk, the Wolverines generated the majority of their offense through its running game. They registered seven rushing touchdowns as senior Jamar Baynard tied a program record with five running scores. E.J. Lee rushed for the other two TDs as Wesley racked up 310 yards with their ground attack.
 
Baynard has enjoyed a tremendous career with the Wolverines, eclipsing the 3,000-yard rushing mark last week. He is just the third Wesley running back to reach that milestone and he also ranks third all-time in program history with 40 rushing touchdowns.
 
TCNJ owned a 14-7 lead on Wesley last year in the first conference meeting between the two programs before current Green Bay Packers quarterback Joe Callahan ran for a touchdown and threw for three more. The Lions will need to slow play down, control the clock, and keep Baynard and company on the sidelines spectating.
 
TCNJ will return home next week to host Frostburg State University in Lions Stadium at 1 p.m. The Bobcats (3-1) host William Paterson University (2-2) at 1 p.m. tomorrow.