Box Score
UNION, NJ – The Kean University football team defeated Rowan University, 13-6 in a snowy New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars, ranked 18th in this week’s America Football Coaches Association Division III Coaches Poll, are 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference. The Profs have a 5-3 record with a 5-2 NJAC mark.
Kean limited Rowan to 251 yards of total offense (132 rushing and 119 passing). Linebacker Bekim Bujari (sr. Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) posted a team-high 10 tackles (six solo, four assisted), one interception, which he returned 17 yards for a touchdown and one pass breakup. Nose tackle Ray Wegrzynek (sr. Linden, NJ/Linden) followed with eight stops (four solo, four assisted), three tackles for a loss (-8 yards) and 0.5 sacks (-4 yards). Linebacker Brad Higgins (jr. Vernon, NJ/Vernon Twp.) and safety Brett Yajcaji (jr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) both made six tackles. Defensive end Will Nahan (so. Lawrence, NJ/Lawrence) recovered a fumble, while linebacker Richard Esdaille (jr. Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) forced one. Cornerback Reginald Hodge-Grant (fr. Freehold, NJ/Manalapan) had one interception.
Running back Chris DiMicco (sr. Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Twp.) ran for 81 yards on 26 carries. Quarterback Tom D’Ambrisi (sr. Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Reg.) completed two of eight pass attempts for 23 yard and a touchdown. Wide receiver Chris Suozzo (sr. Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) had an eight yard touchdown reception.
Rowan held Kean to 144 yards of total offense, including 121 rushing and 23 passing. Linebacker Dean Hammel (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) compiled a game-high 14 tackles (six solo, eight assisted), two fumble recoveries and one tackle for a loss (-1 yard). Linebacker Patrick Ruley (jr. Margate, NJ/Atlantic City) recorded 10 stops (seven solo, three assisted) and forced a fumble. Defensive end Steve Williams (jr. Westmont, NJ/Haddon Twp.) made six tackles (four solo, two assisted).
Running back Keith Corcoran (jr. Atlantic City, NJ/St. Joseph (Hammonton)) rushed for 170 yards on 40 touches. Quarterback Louie Bianchini (so. West Long Branch, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) threw for 119 yards with 13 completions in 30 attempts. Wide receiver Eddie Eisenhart (fr. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.) hauled in five balls for 55 yards.
At 10:39 in the first quarter, Profs’ tight end Kevin DelleDonne (sr. Summit, NJ/Summit) recovered a fumble for a touchdown. The PAT attempt was blocked to make the score, 6-0. Rowan was on the Kean two yard line when Esdaille forced a fumble and DelleDonne fell on it in the end zone. With 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Suozzo hauled in an eight pass from D’Ambrisi to give the Cougars at 7-6 lead at the intermission. Kean started on the Rowan 38 yard line after Profs’ punter Joseph Janovic (so. Montvale, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Montvale)) fumbled a punt attempt. In the drive, running back Darius Kinney (jr. Newark, NJ/Hudson Catholic) ran for 10 yards on two touches and had a 15 yard catch.
With 1:57 remaining in the game, Bujari picked off a pass by Bianchini and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked. On the ensuing drive, Rowan drove down to the Kean 21 yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
Rowan hosts Montclair State University in a NJAC game on Saturday, November 5 at 1 p.m.
