Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University football team scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind to beat New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent Western Connecticut State, 24-17 on Saturday.
Rowan super back Davon Edwards (so. Del Haven, NJ/Middle Twp.) had a seven yard touchdown run with 6:39 remaining to give Rowan a seven point advantage. It was Edwards’ first career touchdown. Super back Rob Richardson (jr. Hackensack, NJ/Garfield) and Edwards each had nine yards rushing in the drive. Western Connecticut drove down to Rowan’s 19 yard line, but the Profs forced the Colonials to turn the ball over on downs with 12 second left to play.
Six minutes earlier, Richardson tied the game at 17 with a four yard touchdown run. It was also his first career rushing touchdown. Rowan started the drive on Western Connecticut’s 15 yard line after a 50 yard punt return by cornerback Kelvin Bellamy (jr. Trenton, NJ/Nottingham). Edwards had an 11 yard run and Richardson found the end zone on the following play.
Western Connecticut wide receiver Adamis Gonzalez (sr. Meriden, CT/Platt) returned the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards for a touchdown to give the Colonials a 17-10 lead. Rowan kicker Matias Spahn (jr. Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) made a 26 yard field goal at 6:24 in the second quarter to tie the game at 10 heading into halftime. Less than three minutes earlier, kicker Kevin March (fr. Lake Grove, NY/Centereach) had a 22 yard field goal to put the Colonials ahead 10-7. Rowan tied the game at seven with 47 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Super back Jonathan Downes (fr. Gibbstown, NJ/Valley Forge Military (PA)) scored from five yards out for is first collegiate touchdown. Western Connecticut opened the game scoring at 8:10 on a five yard run by tailback Jeff Ward (sr. Pleasantville, NJ/Absegami).
Edwards finished the game with 76 yards rushing on 14 carries and one touchdown. Richardson added 10 rushes for 46 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Mike Orihel (sr. Trenton, NJ/Central Bucks W. (PA)) completed 15 of 21 passes for 135 yards. Wide receiver Emory Lester (fr. Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton) made three catches for 32 yards.
The Profs held the Colonials to 20 yards rushing. Leading the way was safety Eric Bailey (jr. Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) with 10 tackles. Linebackers Chris Niszczak (jr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) and Chris Pinto (so. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) made nine and seven stops, respectively. Pinto added two sacks (-nine yards), while Niszcazak had 1.5 (-12 yards). Defensive end Keith Heimerl (sr. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.) posted seven tackles and linebacker Zach Garren (so. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) had six. Cornerback Jabrill Joseph (sr. N. Plainfield, NJ/N. Plainfield) had two interceptions.
For Western Connecticut, quarterback James Williams (fr. Wolcott, CT/Wolcott) completed 17 of 33 passes for 218 yards. Tailbacks Jason Santiago (so. Cromwell, CT/Cromwell) and Ward rushed for 23 and 17 yards, respectively. Gonzalez finished the game with nine catches for 98 yards. Wide receivers Kerry Perrotta (sr. Waterford, CT/Waterford) and David Cournoyer (sr. Plainville, CT/Plainville) each had three grabs for 61 and 41 yards, respectively.
The Colonial defense was led by defensive back John Hoke (jr. Tomkins Cove, NY/North Rockland) with a game-high 11 tackles. Defensive end Kevin Marchant (sr. East Lyme, CT/East Lyme) added seven tackles and one sack (-six yards). Linebackers Kenny Jost (sr. Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) and Chad Milling (so. Harford, CT/Conard) made seven and six stops, respectively.
The Profs improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Colonials are 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC. Rowan travels to conference opponent The College of Jersey on Friday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Western Connecticut is at William Paterson University on Saturday, October 7 for a 1 p.m. NJAC contest.
