Box Score
WAYNE, NJ – William Paterson University defeated Rowan University, 21-20 in the final game of the 2007 season.
William Paterson finishes the season 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). Rowan lost its last four games and ends the year with a 4-6 overall record and a 2-5 conference mark. It is the first time the Profs finished with a sub .500 record since 1984 (4-5).
Pioneer quarterback Dan Lamego (sr. North Arlington, NJ/Queen of Peace) passed for 69 yards and one touchdown, completing eight of 11 pass attempts. Lamego also had one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Joel Rivera (so. Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken) had four receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown. Running back Shaun Puluse (jr. Haledon, NJ/Passaic Tech) rushed for 74 yards on 26 carries. Running back Ira Guilford (sr. Jersey City, NJ/Hoboken) added 23 yards and one touchdown on nine attempts.
Safety Harold Green (jr. Boonton, NJ/Boonton) and defensive tackle Frank Musolino (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) each had 10 tackles. Green added one interception and Musolino had three tackles for a loss (-11 yards) and one sack (-8 yards). Linebacker Angelo Silletti (so. Belleville, NJ/Hudson Catholic) contributed with six stops. Running back Jesse Mackey (fr. Newark, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, while linebacker Jared Burke (so. Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) added one fumble recovery and one interception.
For the Profs, quarterback Joe Rankin (sr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River N.) completed seven of 12 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Wideout Davon Edwards (jr. Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.) made three catches for 51 yards. Wide receivers Adam Preciado (jr. Hillsdale, NJ/Pascack Valley) and Mark Lisa (fr. Highland Lakes, NJ/Vernon Twp.) had one touchdown reception apiece. Superback Ulysses Encarnacion (sr. Little Ferry, NJ/Ridgefield Park) carried the ball 14 times for 73 yards. Superback Ben Boursiquot (fr. West Orange, NJ/West Orange) added 52 yards on six rushes.
Defensive end Randy Tosh (sr. Columbia, NJ/North Warren Reg.) recorded a game-high 14 tackles. He posted two tackles for a loss (-4 yards) and one sack (-2 yards). Linebacker Chris Pinto (jr. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) totaled 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss (-12 yards) and two sacks (-10 yards). Defensive end Justin Hinds (jr. Port Reading, NJ/Woodbridge) and linebacker Kevin Taylor (so. Westwood, NJ/Westwood Reg.) added seven stops apiece.
Lamego gave the Pioneers a 7-0 lead with a three yard touchdown run at 7:24 in the first quarter. Mackey recovered a fumble on the Rowan 37 yard line to start the drive. Lamego completed two passes for 34 yards prior to finding the end zone. Preciado had a five yard touchdown grab at the three minute mark to tie the game (7-7). Boursiquot had runs of 32, 16 and one yard to set up the touchdown.
At 13:27 in the second period, Lamego connected with Rivera for a 15 yard touchdown pass. Running back Mike Vicci (sr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) had an eight yard scamper and Puluse added two seven yard carries before the TD. On the Profs next possession, Rankin found Lisa in the end zone with a 21 yard touchdown strike at 8:29 to make the score 14-14. It was a nine play, 78 yard scoring drive that included a 19 yard reception and a 12 yard rush by Edwards. Guilford’s three yard touchdown plunge at 4:12 put the Pioneers up 21-14 at the intermission. Puluse ran for 28 yards on four touches before Guilford scored.
In the third stanza, Rowan superback Shavon Mears (fr. Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) had a five yard touchdown run at 4:37, cutting the deficit to 21-20. Kicker Dan Robert’s (sr. Eastampton, NJ/Hamilton West) extra point attempt was blocked by linebacker Jim Hamill (fr. Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley). The Profs were driving late in the fourth quarter. On third and 10 from the Pioneers’ 19 yard line, Rankin’s pass was intercepted by Burke to seal the win for William Paterson.
