UNION, N.J. – The TCNJ football team earned its first victory of the season when it defeated Kean, 13-8, on Saturday afternoon at Kean Alumni Stadium. The Lions got the winning score on a touchdown pass from Andrew Donoghue to Vinny Guckin with just 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Lions got the ball back for their winning drive thanks to a sack from Erik Graham on third down on Kean's possession. That forced a Kean punt that netted just 27 yards as it was downed at the Kean 41. The Lions had a short field to go for the lead with 2:13 remaining on the clock.

The Lions had just one third down to convert on the drive, and it came in the first set of downs. Donoghue connected with Jack Clevenger on 3^rd-and-3 from the 34 to give TCNJ a new set of downs. On 2^nd-and-12 from the 33, Donoghue found Jaiden Elliott for 21 yards to the Kean 12 for a first down inside the red zone. After a TCNJ timeout, Donoghue found Guckin on the next play to give the Lions the lead.

Donoghue went 4-for-11 for 47 yards with the touchdown and an interception. Guckin had two catches for 23 yards and the score.

Kean still had a minute to go for the win on its end, and it moved into TCNJ territory. A shot to the end zone was knocked away by Ibn Bailey, and another throw deep was intercepted by Jalen Harmon, effectively ending the game.

Bailey made himself a factor on defense throughout the game. He had two interceptions while also making three tackles. Bailey got his interceptions on both sides of halftime. On both drives, Kean had moved into TCNJ territory. Bailey's picks kept Kean from expanding upon its 8-7 lead.

The Lions got on the board first, scoring early in the first quarter. Dave Jachera threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Clevenger with 9:07 left in the first. Alex DeLeo added the PAT to make it 7-0. Jachera was 9-for-26 for 90 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Clevenger made seven receptions for 92 yards and the touchdown.

Kean took the lead in the second quarter thanks to a special teams splash play. TCNJ had to punt from its own 11, but Zach Warcola's punt was blocked by Reilly Gonzalez and recovered in the end zone by Amir Archer with 9:33 left in the first half. Kean went for two, and Jameer Campbell's pass attempt to Jack McCabe was good to make it 8-7.

The Lions' defense had five sacks. Graham had a solo and also assisted on one with Nick Celli. Jeff Konzelman, Mike Rosati and Anthony Cortazzo all had a sack. Xavier Santos broke up two passes and tied Graham for the team lead with eight tackles.

TCNJ returns home for two straight home games. The Lions start with Homecoming against William Paterson next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.