Whitewater, WI … The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater showcased why its program has captured six of the last nine Division III national championships as they defeated The College of New Jersey 51-3 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The third-ranked Warhawks (1-0) scored six touchdowns in the first half to put the contest out of reach early on. The Lions (0-1) responded well after the intermission, holding UW-W to just a field goal in the third quarter and a touchdown in the final period.
 
A pair of rushing touchdowns gave Whitewater a quick 14-0 advantage in the first quarter. The Lions nearly got on the scoreboard in the opening period when senior Abdelrahman Ragab (Edison, NJ/Edison) brought quarterback Carl Wilber for a nine-yard loss. Wilber had to struggle to get out of his own end zone before Ragab brought him down on the one-yard line.
 
That set up good field position as TCNJ took over at their own 45-yard line. An 11-yard carry by junior Khani Glover (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) followed by a seven-yard reception to Chase Vena (Tabernacle, NJ/Seneca) put the Lions inside the Warhawk red zone. After a third-down incompletion, junior Zachary Pharo (Marlton, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) put TCNJ on the scoreboard with a 34-yard field goal.
 
UW-W answered by rattling off 27 unanswered points to close out the opening half
 
The Lions had quality opportunities to put the ball in the end zone on their final two drives of the game. Freshman Erik Graham (Ocean Port, NJ/Shore Regional) recovered a fumble on the Warhawk 37-yard line that gave TCNJ great field position. Senior quarterback Michael Marchesano (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) kept it on 4^th and 1 and burrowed his way to a first down on the Whitewater 27. A 13-yard rush by Jeff Mattonelli (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) put the Lions 14 yards from the end zone, but the drive stalled.
 
TCNJ started its final drive on the Warhhawk 37-yard line, and a pass completion to Mattonelli from junior Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) put the Lions at the 11. But UW-W stiffened up and didn't allow TCNJ to gain any more yardage to close out the game.
 
Mattonelli had a productive day on the field. He compiled six catches for 52 yards, fielded five punts for 93 yards, and rushed for 23 more. Vena had four receptions for 31 yards, and junior Thomas Koenig (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) caught three passes for 18 yards. Glover gained 47 yards on the ground on 12 carries.
 
On the defensive side, sophomore Jesse Streb (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) led the Lions with eight tackles. Senior Erik Wehner (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) and Max Busca (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) finished with seven takedowns apiece. Ragab, junior Troy Domenick (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), and classmate Anthony Gambone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) registered sacks. Ragab and senior Drew Dickison (Tewksbury, NJ/North Hunterdon) were each credited with a pass break-up.
 
Freshman punter Zach Warcola (Mendham, NJ/Mendham) booted nine punts for an average of 41.1 yards and a long of 51 yards.
 
TCNJ will enjoy its bye week before returning to action on Friday, September 16 at Kean University. That game will open New Jersey Athletic Conference play.