EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey football team was defeated by No. 7 Salisbury University on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 62-20. The Lions dipped to 2-7 on the year and 2-4 in conference play, while the Sea Gulls improved to 8-0 and 6-0 in the NJAC.

Salisbury hopped out to a quick 20-0 lead. Dylan Richey had a nice 37 yard kickoff return to set up TCNJ with the ball at the Salisbury 48 yard line. On a third & 12, quarterback Andrew Donoghue found Jack Clevenger for an 18 yard completion.

After a four yard Mark Pacini rush, Donoghue tossed a 28 yard touchdown pass to Vinny Guckin. Donoghue bombed it into the back corner of the end zone, and Guckin made a terrific diving catch for the touchdown. Bobby Wortman's extra point pulled TCNJ within 20-7. The score marked the fifth of the year for Guckin.

The strong Salisbury offense continued to move the football down the field, and took a 48-7 lead with 7:37 left in the half. The TCNJ offense put together an 11 play, 75 yard touchdown drive at the end of the first half. On the first play, Pacini ripped off a big 33 yard run to get to the Salisbury 42 yard line.

Donoghue hooked up with Guckin on a 12 yard completion on third & 7, then Pacini ran for seven more yards to get to the 20 yard line. Donoghue threw an eight yarder to Vince Ratamess to get to the 12. Pacini ran it down to the four, then a completion to James Marcheski got the Lions to the one yard line. Donoghue floated it to Guckin in the corner for the duo's second touchdown of the day.

In the third quarter, the Lion offense went on a marathon, 21 play 81 yard touchdown drive that lasted over 11 minutes and stretched into the fourth quarter. Donoghue connected with Marcheski for a six yard completion for a first down. Donoghue threw a seven yard completion to Ean Craig, then a seven yarder to Clevenger.

The long drive continued, and Donoghue found Jakob Green for six yards to get to the Sea Gulls 32 yard line. TCNJ went for it on fourth & 8, and Donoghue connected with Clevenger for a 20 yard pickup. Donoghue ran it in from two yards out on third & goal for the touchdown.

Pacini ran for a career-high 118 yards on 24 attempts. He also added four catches for 23 yards. Donoghue went 24-38 with 184 yards and the two touchdowns. Clevenger hauled in four catches for 62 yards, while Guckin caught four balls for 38 yards and the two scores.

Xavier Santos led the TCNJ defense with seven tackles. Anthony Cortazzo made five stops including one tackle for loss, while Nick Celli and Luke Young each picked up four tackles. Joe Ciempola made three stops including two tackles for loss.

TCNJ held senior day to honor its 19 student-athletes for all of their contributions to the program the last four seasons.

TCNJ will close out the 2019 season at Rowan on Nov. 16.