Box Score

BRIDGEWATER, MA – Quarterback Frank Wilczynski threw two touchdown passes and ran for one more to lead Rowan University to a 24-14 win over host Bridgewater State College (MA) on Saturday.

Wilczynski (jr. Pine Hill, NJ/Overbrook) completed eight of 18 passes for 87 yards. He also rushed for 23 yards on 11 carries. Wide receiver Dan Lisa (so. Highland Lakes, NJ/Vernon Twp.) had three receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Derek Piccini (jr. Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Mem.) had a six yard touchdown catch. Superback Brett Scott (so. Bellmawr, NJ/Triton Reg.) carried the ball 13 times for 58 yards, while superback Ryan Leafey (jr. Westville, NJ/Deptford) totaled 40 yards on seven rushes.

The Profs’ defense limited Bridgewater State to 67 yards on the ground. Safety Mike Barone (jr. Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) led the way with eight tackles (seven solo, one assisted), two tackles for a loss (-3 yards), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Linebacker Drew Yezzi (jr. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) contributed with seven solo stops. Nose guard Justin Hinds (sr. Port Reading, NJ/Woodbridge) posted five solo tackles and two sacks (-13 yards). Linebacker Kevin Taylor (jr. Westwood, NJ/Westwood Reg.), defensive end Kyle Kane (jr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River N.) and cornerback James Moton (fr. Glassboro, NJ/Delsea Reg.) had one sack apiece. Cornerbacks Kenneth Quinones (sr. Dover, NJ/Dover) and Ted Plunkett (so. Trenton, NJ/Peddie School) both recorded an interception, while linebacker Lafayette Crawford (so. Blackwood, NJ/Highland Reg.) recovered a fumble.

For Bridgewater State, quarterback Tyler D’Ambra (sr. Mansfield, MA/Mansfield) threw for 223 yards and one touchdown. He had 13 completions in 32 attempts. Wide receiver David Wall (sr. Braintree, MA/Braintree) caught eight passes for 120 yards. Wideout Jesse Teixeira (sr. Taunton, MA/Taunton) made three grabs for 76 yards. Tight end Tony Cina (sr. Hanson, MA/Whitman-Hanson) had a 25 yard touchdown reception. Running back Bruce Burley (sr. Mansfield, MA/Mansfield) ran for 45 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.

Defensive ends Chris Dijak (jr. Lunenberg, MA/Lunenberg) and Sean Larkin (jr. Pembroke, MA/Silver Lake) and safety John Farroba (so. N. Attleboro, MA/N. Attleboro) totaled six tackles apiece. Dijak added one sack (-7 yards). Defensive tackle Mohammed Kanu (sr. Randolph, MA/Randolph) contributed with four tackles (two solo, two assisted) and two sacks (-14 yards).

After a scoreless first quarter, the Profs found the end zone at 4:58 in the second period. Wilczynski connected with Piccini for a six yard touchdown pass. Rowan started on its own 47 yard line. Wilczynski completed four passes for 36 yards to set up the score.
At 1:04, Bridgewater State tied the game on its next possession on a four yard touchdown run by Burley. D’Ambra went three for three on the drive for 82 yards. Kicker Mark Getsinger (fr. Deptford, NJ/Deptford) made a 26 yard field goal as time expired to give Rowan a 10-7 halftime advantage. The Profs got the ball on the Bears’ 43 yard line following a 33 yard kickoff return by wide receiver Davon Edwards (sr. Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.). Wilczynski had a 10 yard run and tossed a 13 yard pass to wideout Anwar Sanders (so. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) to get Rowan down to the Bridgewater State seven yard line.

At 12:26 in the third quarter, Lisa caught a 36 yard touchdown pass from Wilczynski for a 17-7 lead. It was the first play of the drive that was set up by Plunkett’s interception on the Bears’ 36 yard line. Rowan tacked on a one yard touchdown rush by Wilczynski at 6:53 in the fourth to go up 24-7. Quinones’ interception on the Bridgewater State 35 yard line started the drive. Scott carried the ball four times for 34 yards. The Bears had a 25 yard touchdown pass from D’Ambra to Cina with 1:17 remaining. Prior to the score, Wall had a 30 yard reception.

The Profs (1-0) have a bye next week. Rowan hosts New Jersey Athletic Conference opponent SUNY Cortland in the home opener on Saturday, September 20 at 1 p.m.