EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ football team put forth a valiant comeback, but fell just short to Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on Saturday by a final score of 17-14.  The Profs pushed their record 4-2 and 3-2 in the conference, while the Lions became 0-6 and 0-5 in the NJAC.

In the opening quarter the Profs were putting together a drive, yet Gavin Liepe came up with an interception to get the Lions defense off of the field. Liepe brought it back 11 yards to the TCNJ 26, and the interception was the first of his career. On Rowan's ensuing possession they punched one in from the goal line to grab a 7-0 lead.

With four minutes remaining in the first half the Profs were driving, yet Jared Lyles came up with a stop to force a fourth down and five. On the fourth and five the Lions came up with a big stop, as Jesse Streb and Max Busca sacked the Prof quarterback. On the next possession Rowan scored on an interception return to take a 14-0 advantage.

In the first half TCNJ picked up nine first downs, and tallied 136 yards through the air.

The Lions defense opened the second half strong as they forced a three and out. On Rowan's next possession, Erik Graham overpowered the offensive line and came up with a sack on third down. The Profs fumbled a punt attempt on the next play, and Jeff Konzelman brought down the punter to set the Lions up with quality field position.

On a third and three on the next possession, Lion quarterback Dave Jachera found Jaiden Elliott for a 10 yard gain to give the Lions a first down at the 14 yard line. TCNJ punched it in when Jachera found Vinny Guckin from seven yards out, and Guckin slipped inside of the left pylon to cut the Profs deficit to 17-7.

The Lions scored again by way of a 12 play, 75 yard drive. On third and five, Jachera kept the drive alive with his legs as he scrambled for 23 yards down to the Rowan 21. On third and goal from the 15, Jachera made some magic happen. The freshman quarterback was scrambling around to keep the play alive, and was almost brought down but somehow kept his balance. From the 32 yard line, under pressure, he found an open Guckin in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown to make it 17-14 with 13:16 to go.

The Lions got the football back when Bryant Sanchez came up with a sack on third down. In the fourth quarter the Lions defense shut down the Prof attack, as they only allowed 40 yards and held the Profs' lead to three.

TCNJ had one final opportunity to draw even or go out in front. Jachera continued to perform under pressure as he found Jack Clevenger on a fourth down and eight, and Clevenger picked up 30 yards to get down to the Rowan 38. The Prof defense would not surrender any more, and on fourth down the pass rush got to Jachera and his pass was incomplete.

Jachera amassed 274 yards of total offense, as he picked up 213 passing and 61 more on the ground. Clevenger hauled in six catches for 78 yards, while Guckin totaled five catches for 76 yards and the two touchdowns. Elliot caught four balls for 54 yards.

Sal Tardogno led the Lions defense with seven tackles. Streb finished with six tackles including two tackles for losses.

Next up for the Lions is another conference game, this time at Kean University on Oct. 20, at 1 p.m.