Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey football team will open its season tonight when they take on Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham Campus in Lions Stadium at 7 p.m.
 
Just under two months after his hiring was announced, Head Coach Casey Goff will lead TCNJ onto the field. Goff arrives in Ewing, NJ with 14 years of collegiate football coaching experience, including a one-year stint last season as interim head coach at Defiance College.
 
Captains Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), Shane Kelley (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), Kevin Hennelly (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) and Max Busca (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) spearhead a group of Lions hungry for victory. TCNJ has won just four times in front of its home crowd in the last three seasons and would like nothing more than to deliver a win to create some momentum in 2017. The Lions finished the season with triumphs in their final three games and hope to come out on top in their season opener for the first time since 2011.
 
The Devils visit campus with similar objectives in mind. They are looking to kick-start their program after posting a 2-8 record in 2016. Head Coach Brian Surace will rely on junior quarterback Jagger Green to lead the offense after taking snaps in eight games last year.
 
The match-up of the TCNJ offense and FDU defense will be the primary factor in the opener. Both units struggled last season and look to rebound with greater efficiency in 2017. The Lions averaged just 10.0 points per game a year ago, while the Devils surrendered an average of 40.3 points per contest. A new offensive system aligned with the experience of Olsler, running back Khani Glover (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) and tight end Chase Vena (Tabernacle, NJ/Senaca) should propel the TCNJ offense to improved production this fall.
 
The 'X' factor on the field tonight will be Devils wide receiver Malik Pressley. Pressley set a program record during his last visit to Lions Stadium as a sophomore, hauling 15 catches for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He transferred to power-house University of Mount Union last season, but has now returned to his home state for his senior season. First Team All-NJAC returner and punter Zach Warcola (Mendham, NJ/Mendham) should also play a role in the field position game, looking to pin the Devils back deep in their territory on special teams.
 
Look for Kelley to get pressure on Green from the defensive line, along with Busca and Jesse Streb (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) from the linebacker corps. That trio joins Troy Domenick (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) as the top returning tacklers in the Lions defensive unit.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Lions Stadium. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for attendees ages 9 to 18 and senior citizens. Guest who are 8 and under and students showing their TCNJ ID are admitted free of charge. The game can also be viewed on live vide stream and followed on live stats.