WAYNE, NJ -- Rowan capped the 2024 season with a dominant 45-0 New Jersey Athletic Conference win at William Paterson on Saturday.

Quarterback Matt Welsey threw for three touchdowns while running back Nunes Bukula IV added three rushing scores but it was the defense that made it a long day for the Pioneers. The Profs totaled nine sacks and three interceptions while holding William Paterson to just 92 total yards.

AJ Ryker had quite the day, racking up eight tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Ahmad Gantt also totaled two sacks along with four stops and a forced fumble. Jason Blanks (five tackles) and Nick Wright also snared interceptions on the day.

Rowan's second offensive possession started off a short WPU punt to put the ball at the Pioneer 28-yard line. In just two plays, Bukula ran it in from 18 yards to put the first points on the scoreboard.

Ryker's pick on the ensuing possession made it 1st and 10 at the WPU 16. Welsey hooked up with Shane Martin on the first of his two TD receptions for a 14-0 lead after the first.

After Bukula's TD run early in the second, Ryker's second forced fumble later in the stanza led to Welsey finding Michael Zarfati on a 21-yard touchdown pass. AJ Kirvin would break up a pass on a 4th and 14 on the Rowan 21-yard line to end the half with Rowan up, 28-0.

Blank's interception late in the third led to more Rowan points. Bukula's two-yard TD run put the wraps on a 12-play, 57-yard drive. Martin would snag a 47-yard TD from Welsey in the beginning stages of the fourth before a 40-yard field goal from Tommy Laperriere with 6:43 to go would account for the Rowan scoring.

Rowan finished with 290 total yards, going 8-for-18 on third downs and picking up 14 first downs.

Welsey was 15-of-30 for 193 yards passing while Bukula totaled 44 yards on 11 carries. Martin had 70 yards on four catches with Luke Hoke contributing five grabs for 63 yards.

Defensively, CJ Beatie, Dhani Clifford, Vincent Guarino, Eric Hill, Anthony Henriquez all added sacks against Pioneer quarterback Mahsiah McRae.

The Profs and first-year head coach Pat Ruley conclude the year winning its final three games to finish with a 6-4 overall record and  a 4-2 mark in NJAC play.