Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Quarterback Tim Hagerty threw a 15 yard touchdown pass to running back Keith Corcoran with two seconds left in the game to give Rowan University a 21-17 victory over New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent Kean University on Saturday.
The Cougars were ahead 10-6 after the third quarter. At 7:18 in the fourth, Hagerty (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcus Lee (sr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) to give the Profs a 13-10 advantage. Kean scored on a nine yard touchdown catch by full back Sean Atkins (sr. Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) from quarterback Tom D’Ambrisi (jr. Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Reg.) with 38 seconds remaining. The score was 17-13 after the PAT. In the drive, D’Ambrisi completed four of five passes for 81 yards.
The ensuing kickoff went out the end zone for a touchback, giving Rowan the ball on its own 20 yard line. Hagerty led the team down the field, connecting on four of five passes for 80 yards. He threw a 55 yard pass to Lee that brought the Profs down to the Cougar 15 yard line. On the next play he rolled out of the pocket and found Corcoran in the middle of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Rowan improves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Kean has a 2-3 overall and NJAC record. Hagerty finished the game with 264 yards and three touchdowns, completing 14 of 23 passes. Corcoran ran for 115 yards on 23 attempts. Tight end Kevin DelleDonne (jr. Summit, NJ/Summit) had four receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Lee made three catches for 75 yards and one touchdown.
Safety Rocky Aliberti (sr. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.) posted a game-high 11 tackles (two solo, nine assisted). He also had one interception. Linebacker Jerome Gordon (sr. Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton Twp.) made nine stops (three solo, six assisted). Linebackers Dean Hammel (jr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) and Geno Raman (jr. Mullica Hill, NJ/N. Kingstown (RI)) and safety Jack Buckley (jr. Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) all forced a fumble. Cornerback Brandon Jones (jr. Mullica Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) and Buckley each recovered a fumble.
For the Cougars, D’Ambrisi was 16 of 27 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jason Gwaltney (sr. Wyandanch, NY/North Babylon) rushed for 207 yards on 32 carries. Tight end Matt Puorro (sr. Pt. Pleasant, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Boro) recorded five receptions for 88 yards. Wide receiver Louis Haynes (jr. Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Reg.) made three grabs for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Safety Jamahl Williams (jr. Passaic, NJ/Passaic), linebackers Bekim Bujari (jr. Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) and Victor D’Arrigo (sr. Staten Island, NY/Port Richmond) and defensive lineman James Boyd (jr. Highland Park, NJ/Highland Park) all compiled seven tackles. Bujari added 1.5 tackles for a loss (-12 yards), one sack (-11 yards) and a blocked kick. Williams had one interception. Defensive lineman Ray Wegrzynek (jr. Linden, NJ/Linden) forced a fumble.
Kean went up 7-0 at 9:31 in the first quarter when D’Ambrisi threw a 73 yard touchdown pass to Haynes. The Cougars got the ball on their own 20 yard line after a blocked field goal. After runs of three and four yards by Gwaltney, D’Ambrisi found Haynes down the side line.
The Cougars added a 21 yard field goal by kicker Billy Daniels (jr. Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Mem.) at 4:05 in the third period to increase the lead to 10-0. Kean began on the Rowan 40 yard line. D’Abrisi tossed a 15 yard pass to Haynes and an eight yard pass to Puorro. Gwaltney had three runs for 13 yards. Rowan got on the scoreboard just under two minutes later when DelleDonne hauled in a 43 yard touchdown pass from Hagerty. The extra point was blocked by Bujari. Rowan took over on its own 29 yard line after a missed field goal attempt. Wide receiver Justin Long (sr. Sicklerville, NJ/Pennsauken) broke free for a 17 yard run. Corcoran and Hagerty followed with one and six yard rushes respectively. On the next play, Hagerty hit DelleDonne across the middle for the touchdown.
Rowan hosts SUNY Cortland in a NJAC game on Saturday, October 16 at noon.
