Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey football team was in command of its season opener well into the second half, but Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus erupted for 21 unanswered points late in the game to gain a 38-24 decision on Friday night in Lions Stadium.
 
It was a high-octane affair from the onset. The TCNJ offense produced 422 yards (149 rushing and 273 passing) on the night, but junior quarterback Jagger Green completed 40 passes for 593 yards and five touchdowns. The Devils' receiving corps was loaded with options, as three players racked up over1 00 yards apiece through the air.
 
The Lion looked impressive on their opening drive, marching 74 yards on nine plays to take a quick 7-0 lead. Senior Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) found classmate Chase Vena (Tabernacle, NJ/Seneca) at the top of the end zone for a 12-yard scoring strike. Later in the period, TCNJ freshman Liam Abujawdeh (Howell, NJ/Colts Neck) picked off a pass at the 42-yard line to give the Lions possession at midfield. Senior Zachary Pharo (Marlton, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) then capped the eight-play, 57-yard drive by drilling a 21-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 10-0 with 4:59 remaining in the period.
 
FDU found some rhythm late in the first quarter. Green moved the offense 75 yards on nine plays, finding Khrystan Camillo in the back left corner of the end zone to pull within three points.
 
TCNJ came right back, traveling 75 yards on 10 plays, this one iced by a Khani Glover (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) scoring run from five yards out. That put the Lions up 17-7 with 5:20 remaining in the period. FDU did manage a 28-yard field goal off the foot of Nick Maciejewski to make it a 17-10 score at the intermission.
 
The second half, however, belonged to Devils wide receiver Malik Pressley. In his first game back in an FDU uniform, he caught a pair of touchdown passes in the third quarter and a third midway through the final period.
 
FDU got the ball to start the second half, but on the second play in, senior Kevin Hennelly (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) intercepted a pass over the middle. The Lions were in great field position, but Osler went down with an injury and the Devils regained possession. On third-and-20, Green heaved a pass down field and found Pressley. He raced 59 yards for the touchdown to knot the match, 17-17.
 
The Lions barked right back as Glover took a hand-off on the very next play and raced 41 yards to quickly shift the momentum back to the host. He punched it in from two yards out for his second score of the night, allowing TCNJ to regain the lead 24-17. But FDU had talent and a little luck on their side after the break. On a fourth-down play from the Lions' 19, Green had his pass deflected by Anthony Cortazzo (Montvale, NJ/Pasack Hills). The ball caromed up in the air and down into the hands of Pressley, who raced 19 yards for the score.
 
With time winding down in the third, Green hit Mike Panzarino on the sideline for a short gain, but a missed tackled enabled Panzarino to take off and sprint 88 yards into the end zone. Pressley iced the game with a 17-yard touchdown reception with 7:02 remaining.
 
Osler completed 15 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Andrew Donoghue (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) came in for Osler and played well in his collegiate debut, connecting on 10-of-16 passes for 98 yards. Ibn Bailey (North Plainfield, NJ/Immaculata) led TCNJ receivers with six catches for 64 yards. Vincent Guckin (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) was also a steady target with five receptions for 47 yards.
 
Glover led the running game with 73 yards and two scores. Junior Connor Owen (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) carried 14 times for 65 yards and was a spark on offense.
 
Junior Max Busca (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) led the Lions with 10 tackles, followed by sophomore Xavier Santos (Westhampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) with nine tackles. Shane Kelley (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) posted three tackles, one for a loss of four yards.
 
Pressley finished with 16 receptions for 271 yards, while Panzarino had nine catches for 162 yards. FDU gained just 13 rushing yards in the win.
 
TCNJ is back in action next Saturday when the visit 17^th-ranked Frostburg State University to open their New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule at 1 p.m.