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This is the 38th meeting between Rowan University and Kean University. The Profs lead the series, 32-5 and they have won 12 of the last 13 games. Last year, Rowan beat Kean, 30-22 in Glassboro, NJ.

Kean pounded Morrisville, 43-6 at home last Saturday. Running back Jared Chunn carried the ball 13 times for 115 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Tom D’Ambrisi completed 18 of 26 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Derric Harris caught six receptions for 92 yards and one TD. Tight end Alex Cade grabbed three balls for 44 yards and a touchdown. Fullback Sean Atkins added two receptions for 23 yards and one TD. Defensive end Matt Donaghue recorded seven tackles , while linebackers Kyle Maher and Bekim Bujari each had six. Bujari also forced a fumble. Cornerback Chris Lauda intercepted two passes, while safety Jamahl Williams had one pick. Defensive backs Tom Moncrief and Justin Shaw both had a fumble recovery. Kean jumped out to a 23-0 lead in the first quarter.

Williams is tied for first in interceptions (0.57) and ninth in kick returns (22.7). Linebacker Richard Esdaille is tied for second in sacks (7.0) and fifth in tackles for a loss (11.0). Donaghue is tied for 10th in sacks (2.5). Lauda is third in passes defended (2.0). Cornerback Justin McLendon and Lauda are tied for sixth in interceptions (0.43). Daniels is second in field goals (1.0), fifth in field goal percentage (70.0) and sixth in punting (35.2), scoring (6.6) and PAT percentage (89.3). Fullback Chris DiMicco is sixth in punt return average (5.8).

The Cougars lead the NJAC in pass efficiency (156.6). Kean is second in scoring defense (14.1) and turnover margin (+8). The Cougars rank third in scoring offense (31.4), rushing offense (183.0), pass offense (203.6) and interceptions (12). Kean is fourth in total offense (386.6), rushing defense (91.6), pass defense efficiency (99.2), kickoff returns (19.8) and sacks (18). The Cougars are fifth in total defense (277.6) and pass defense (186.0).

Wilczynski is first in the conference in scoring (11.0). He is tied for second in rushing (94.0), third in pass efficiency (146.7) and total offense (242.7), sixth in all-purpose yards (94.0) and eighth in passing (148.7). Leafey is third in scoring (7.7), fourth in rushing (74.4) and ninth in all-purpose yards (88.3). Safety Mike Barone is tied for first in interceptions (0.57) and third in passes defended (1.29). Yezzi is tied for first in forced fumbles (2), eighth in sacks (3.0), tied for 10th in tackles (7.3) and 11th in tackles for a loss (8.5). Hoffman ranks fifth in sacks (5.5) and he is tied for seventh in tackles for a loss (9.5). Getsinger leads the NJAC in field goal percentage (83.3). He is second in scoring (7.9) and fourth in field goals (0.71) and PAT percentage (90.9). Punter Andrew Smith is third in punting (39.0) and safety Steve Wall is third in punt return average (9.6).

Rowan is first in the NJAC in scoring offense (46.1), scoring defense (12.1), total defense (223.3), rushing offense (251.3), pass defense (134.1), pass defense efficiency (81.4), interceptions (13), punting (34.0) and turnover margin (+11). The Profs are tied for second in sacks (19) and third in total offense (412.4), rushing defense (89.1) and pass efficiency (131.1). Rowan ranks fourth in punt returns (9.0).

After hammering the lighter part of their schedule, it’s time for the Profs to get down to serious business. First up to try and ruin Rowan’s season is Kean. Profs hit the road again this Saturday at 1 pm. Rowan had many offensive and defensive players make real contributions the past few weeks. The Profs lead in many offensive and defensive categories. Time to put this resume to work for a full game. Many of the Prof starters have had the equivalent of a 1.5 byes in terms of playing time as they only played the first half of the last three games. They should be ready for the stretch run. I’d like to see this team turned loose for a full game. Rowan started slow offensively this year, and collectively they are a different team then the one that opened the season.

The Cougars are averaging 6.0 yards per rushing attempt and 14.2 yards per reception. Kean has eight touchdowns on the ground and 13 through the air. The leading receiver is the tight end Alex Cade. Cade is probably similar to the Profs tight end Kevin DellDonne. As teams concentrate on the wideouts and the running game, Cade is sneaking into the soft parts of the secondary for big plays. Rowan is only allowing 2.3 yards per carry, and 9.9 yards per catch. The Profs must slow down the running game and account for Cade, while not allowing the big play to the other wide receivers.

The Profs must take care of the ball on Saturday. They must win the field position battle and not allow cheap scores. Special teams needs to play better this week. Last week, they were very sloppy. Rowan must move the football on offense and leave the defense in good position. If Kean has to earn their scores, the Profs win this one going away.

Profs routed another opponent on a rainy homecoming Saturday as they dropped the hammer on the Buffalo State Bengals 57-7. It was a fitting tribute to coach Richard Wacker. Wacker resurrected the Rowan football program in 1963. The program began in 1947, but was halted after the 1950 season because the school did not have enough men to field a football team due to the Korean War. At halftime the renovated stadium was named Coach Richard Wackar Stadium in coach Wacker’s honor.

Wacker has been a fixture in the Rowan sports community. He is the only coach in NJAC history to win conference titles in four sports: football, golf, basketball and cross-country. He coached Profs football from 1963-1980 before turning the team over to assistant coached Ted Kershner. Kershner coached from 1981-1987 before handing off the team to John Bunting. Bunting guided Rowan to its first playoff appearance before leaving to coach in the NFL in 1993. KC Keeler took over in 1993, guiding the Profs to their first of four national championship game appearances. Current head coach Jay Accorsi followed Keeler in 2002, when Keeler left to become the head coach of the University of Delaware. KC Keeler played for Delaware in the late 1970’s.

The Profs improve to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference. The Bengals have a 1-6 record with a 1-5 NJAC mark. Rowan outgained Buffalo State, 422-44 in yardage.

Superback Ryan Leafey led the Rowan offense with 62 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Quarterback Frank Wilczynski added 58 yards and one touchdown on seven rushes. He also threw for 119 yards and one touchdown with nine completions in 16 attempts. Wilczynski and Leafey did not play the second half.

Superback Jon Downes compiled 53 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. Quarterback Tim Hagerty and superback Tariq Gaines added one rushing touchdown apiece. Tight end Anthony Barone made three catches for 76 yards and one touchdown.

The defense held Buffalo State to 76 yards passing and -32 yards rushing. Linebacker Andrew Yezzi registered seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and two forced fumbles. Linebacker Kevin Taylor posted six stops and one tackle for a loss. Defensive end Matt Hoffman had 0.5 sacks and blocked a punt. Defensive end Steve Hague forced a fumble.

Buffalo State enters this week’s game at 1-5 overall and 1-4 in NJAC play. Rowan is streaking the opposite direction, winners of four straight and has outscored its opponents 195-34 during the past three contests. The Profs are 13-1 all-time against the Bengals, including a 20-7 win last year at Coyer Field. Rowan has knocked the Bengals out of the NCAA playoffs five times. Buffalo State’s lone win against the Profs came in 2000 by a 20-17 score.

Montclair State limited Buffalo State to just 93 yards of total offense in a 23-7 victory in an NJAC game at Coyer Field Jeff Bliss paced the Red Hawks offense with 27 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown. Tom Fischer was 20 of 24 for 99 yards and a touchdown and had four interceptions. Kenny Murphy was 8 of 25 for just 53 yards and an interception for Buffalo State. Matt Pacana led the Bengals’ defense with 13 tackles, including four for loss. Eddie Weiser had five tackles and two interceptions. Each team had four turnovers and the two teams combined to commit 19 penalties for 186 yards.

Bengal coach Jerry Boyes returns to the sidelines as the head football coach at Buffalo State for the 2009 season, while maintaining his role as athletics director, a position he has held since 1999. Upon coming to Buffalo State in 1986, Boyes inherited a football program that was entering just his sixth season of varsity competition but transformed the Bengals into
one of the premier Division III football programs in the Northeast. In 15 seasons at the helm of the program, he compiled an 89-62 overall record (.589 winning percentage) and qualified for the NCAA postseason seven seasons.

Buffalo State ranks in the bottom three in most league categories statistically, except pass defense in which they rank third overall.

Rain and possible thunderstorms are expected for homecoming this Saturday at 1:30 PM. This may keep scoring down. The Bengals are giving up over 200 yards on the ground. I expect another 100 yards rushing from quarterback Frank Wilczynski and possibly 100 yards rushing from running back Ryan Leafey. The Profs should be able to pick their spots in the passing game as long as the weather holds. If special teams plays well and the offense protects the ball, the defense may pitch another shutout.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
TJ PRATT • Rowan University
Freshman • Wide Receiver • Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional

Pratt earns NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week honors for the second time, marking the fourth time this season and the third consecutive week that a Prof has claimed the offensive rookie honor. In a 67-0 NJAC road win at Morrisville State, he garnered a team-high three receptions for 27 yards. He also notched his second career touchdown on a 10-yard scoring strike in the second quarter. Pratt is averaging 11.3 yards per reception in five games played for Rowan on the season.

Um. Ouch.

For the second week in a row the first stringers on the Rowan football team played only the first half. Second and third teamers also received significant playing time against Brockport two weeks ago. This bodes well on so many fronts. First, it means that both offensive and defensive squads are in sync and causing opponents problems on both side of the ball. Second, the starters have had the equivalent of bye in time off, which is important since it allows the team nurse and/or avoid injuries. Third, young and hungry backup Prof players have made use of their playing time by continuing to beat and score on the opponents first team in the second half. Rowan is a team on the come in the East.

The defense limited Morrisville to 105 yards of total offense. Rowan improves to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

The Profs held the Mustangs to 55 yards passing and 50 yards rushing. Linebacker Evan Picariello led the way with eight tackles. Linebackers Patrick Ruley, Andrew Yezzi and Steve Hague registered five stops apiece. Yezzi also had one sack. Safety Steve Wall forced a fumble and recovered two. Cornerback Steve Roane had one interception, while safety Mike Barone forced a fumble.

Superback Ryan Leafey totaled 125 yards rushing and three touchdowns on nine attempts. Quarterback Frank Wilczynski ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns on three carries. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. Superback David Tejada ran for 54 yards and one touchdown on 11 touches, while superback Tariq Gaines had one touchdown on the ground. Wide receiver TJ Pratt, named the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week for the second time, made three receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown.

Rowan went ahead 7-0 at 11:34 in the first quarter when Leafey broke free for a 22 yard touchdown run. The Profs started on the Mustangs’ 36 yard line. Superback Jon Downes had a six yard carry and Leafey followed with an eight yard run. Leafey scored on the next play. At 8:40, Wilczynski had a 52 yard touchdown carry. He was two for two in the drive for 13 yards prior to the run. Wilczynski added a three yard touchdown run at 2:14. Rowan took over on the Morrisville six yard line after a 27 yard punt return by Wall. With 16 seconds left in the period, Leafey scored on a 55 yard touchdown run to give Rowan a 27-0 lead after the PAT was blocked.

In the second, Leafey scored his third touchdown with a 28 yard carry at 12:51. Leafey’s touchdown was set up when Wilczynski threw a 20 yard pass to wideout Dan Reed on the previous play. Just over five minutes later, Pratt hauled in a 10 yard touchdown grab. Rowan began the drive on the Morrisville 41 yard line. Wilczynski was three for three for 19 yards. At 6:15, Gaines crossed the goal on a one yard carry. On the previous play, linebacker Jerome Gordon blocked a punt which the Profs brought back to the Mustang one yard line. Kicker Mark Getsinger nailed a 24 yard field as time expired to give Rowan a 51-0 halftime advantage. The Profs started on the Mustangs’ 38 yard line. Wilczynski completed three passes for 31 yards.

Hagerty took over at quarterback in the third and scored on a 13 yard touchdown run at 14:19. Rowan started on the Morrisville 27 yard line after Barone forced a fumble and Wall recovered it. Gaines had one yard carry before Hagerty found the end zone. On the first play of the Profs’ next possession, Tejada had a 40 yard touchdown rush. Tight end Michael Wojceichowski blocked a Morrisville punt out of the back of the end zone for a safety at 8:05 in the fourth.

Rowan hosts Buffalo State College in its Homecoming game on Saturday, October 17 at 1:30 p.m. At halftime, the Profs will honor former head coach Richard Wackar by naming their newly renovated facility Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
FRANK WILCZYNSKI • Rowan University
Senior • Quarterback • Pine Hill, NJ/Overbrook

Wilczynski earns NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after accounting for six touchdowns despite playing only one half of Rowan’s 72-14 NJAC road win at Western Connecticut. Through the air, he completed 12-of-18 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns (59, 10, and 9 yards apiece). On the ground, he averaged 16.1 yards per carry with 145 yards rushing on nine attempts including touchdown runs of 53, 2, and 68 yards, the latter of which marked the longest run from scrimmage by a quarterback in school history. Wilczynski currently leads the NJAC in rushing as a quarterback, with an average of 110.8 yards per game.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
TARIQ GAINES • Rowan University
Freshman • Running Back • Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro

Gaines becomes the fourth different Prof to earn NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week honors after helping Rowan secure a 72-14 NJAC road win at Western Connecticut. He averaged 35.7 yards per rush with 143 yards on only four carries, including a 61-yard scoring run for one of the Profs’ school record-tying 10 touchdowns. Gaines, who scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career in the victory, currently ranks 15th in the NJAC in rushing with an average of 32.4 yards per game.

Rowan has a 1-0 record against Morrisville State winning 58-14 in Glassboro last year. Since Morrisville’s stadium is undergoing renovation, the Profs will travel to play the Mustangs at Colgate University.

Morrisville lost its home opener to William Paterson, 14-2. Sophomore quarterback Jamieson Crast had 17 completions in 31 attempts for 154 yards. Running back Peter Enriquez rushed for 21 yards on six carries. Wideout Hodges Sneed had seven receptions for 57 yards. Wide receiver Joe Shue added four catches for 48 yards. Linebacker EJ Maeweather had 13 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Defensive end Sam Pelham followed with 10 tackles. Defensive back Tommy Moyon added nine stops. Maeweather, Pelham and Moyon all forced one fumble. Cornerback Sean McDaniel had a 48-yard fumble recovery. The Pioneers went ahead 7-0 at 13:29 in the second quarter on a three yard touchdown run. At 9:55 in the fourth, Moyon forced a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by the William Paterson quarterback. Cornerback Josh Rose tackled him for the safety. The Pioneers capped the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run with 1:14 remaining.

With only three seniors on the roster, the Mustangs are very young. Both running back Maurice Mitchelson and Crast are sophomores. Mitchelson leads the team with 304 rushing yards. In his first year as the starter, Crast has thrown for 1,162 yards and 12 touchdowns with 104 completions in 183 attempts. He also has 98 yards rushing and one TD on 65 carries. Sophomore linebacker Anthony Brown and Moyon, a junior, are solid on defense. Brown is first on the team with 42 tackles. Moyon follows with 39 stops.

In the conference statistics, Crast is fourth in passing (193.7), pass efficiency (123.1) and total offense (210.0). Mitchelson ranks second in all-purpose yards (130.0), eighth in kick return average (20.7) and 11th in rushing (50.7). Shue is 12th with 49.7 receiving yards per game. Running back Devon Jordan’s 23.1 kick return average is seventh in the NJAC. Maeweather is ninth intackles for a loss (7.0), while linebacker Anthony Brown is 10th (5.5).

The Mustangs are fourth in the conference in passing offense (199.7), pass efficiency (120.4) and punt return average (9.7). Morrisville State ranks sixth in total defense (371.5), rushing defense (162.7), pass defense (208.8) and kickoff return average (19.9).

Last week the Profs set the school mark for most points scored in a game and tied the record for most touchdowns scored by rushing and passing with 10. Rowan also topped the marks for most yards gained (653), most yards gained rushing (432) and most rushing TDs (6). DelleDonne set the school record for most yards gained by a tight end in a game (69) and tied the mark for most catches by a tight end (4). Getsinger tied the Rowan records for most PAT attempts (10) and most PATs made in a game (9).

Wilczynski leads the NJAC in rushing (110.8) and scoring (12.0). He is second in pass efficiency (150.7), third in total offense (282.8) and all-purpose yards (110.8) and sixth in passing (172.0). Leafey is sixth in rushing (66.8) and 10^th in all-purpose yards (86.2). Getsinger is tied for second in field goal percentage (80.0), tied for third in field goals (0.8), third in PAT percentage (92.6) and fourth in scoring (7.4). Safety Mike Barone leads the conference with four interceptions and he is fourth in passes defended (1.2).

Morrisville has only one win, a 25-17 victory against Western Connecticut. The Mustangs are near the bottom of most statistical categories in the NJAC, and are very similar statistically to Western Connecticut. The question for Saturday is what will Morrisville try to take away. Last week, the Colonials attempted to stay in coverage and defend the pass. When they did that, Wilczynski ran wild on the spread out defense. I don’t think the Mustangs will be able to effective shut down one part of the Rowan offense without turning the other part loose.

The Profs defense has demonstrated superior speed over its opponents this year. I expect more of the same on Saturday. We should see significant substitutions in the second half again, as Rowan pulls away early.

Rowan has won all seven previous meetings against Western Connecticut. The Profs travel to Danbury for a evening kickoff of 6 pm Saturday. Rowan dominated the Colonials last year, winning 49-18.

Western Connecticut State lost at home last week to SUNY Morrisville, 25-17 on Saturday. Quarterback James Williams passed for 148 yards and one touchdown.

In the middle of the this decade, it was beginning to look like Western Connecticut was about to take the next step and move into the top tier of NJAC football programs. After a .500 record in 2006, the Colonials have only won six games the past two seasons. They are 0-4 thus far this season, and except for a blowout against Albright 48-7, they have been in most games.

It appears that West Conn has had trouble generating enough offense this season. 227 total yards of offense with 90 yards rushing per game isn’t going to get it done in the NJAC when the rest of the league averages 357.7 yards of total offense. It doesn’t get much better on defense for the Colonials as they give up 403 yards per game while the rest of the league give up an average of 341 yards. They are last in pass defense and next to last in pass defense efficiency.

Quarterback James Williams is the team’s leading rusher and passer. Williams has compiled 517 yards passing with two touchdowns, completing 55 of 101 attempts. He has tallied 160 rushing yards and one TD on 43 attempts. In the conference, Williams ranks 10th in passing (129.2) and total offense (169.2). He is 11th in pass efficiency (98.0) and 14th in rushing (40.0).

Wayne Neal is Western Connecticut’s top scorer with 24 points. He has racked up 70 rushing yards and a team best four touchdowns on 31 carries. Neal has added 10 receptions for 89 yards, which is second on the team. He is tied for sixth in the NJAC in scoring (6.0).

This is a big trap game. Rowan should be able to pass at will, and with the defense spread out run at will. However, a team like Western Connecticut can ruin a season at this point. The Profs have a few of these games coming up. Rowan needs to focus on good special teams, limit stupid penalties, and pressure the quarterback. West Conn has given up the second most sacks in the league at 13. Get pressure, and the Profs should increase their +6 turnover margin. The Colonials have –1 turnover margin. As long as the mid-season in synch Rowan team shows up, a win should be forthcoming.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
MIKE BARONE • Rowan University
Senior • Free Safety • Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton
Barone earns NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping the Profs secure a homeopening 56-20 NJAC victory over Brockport. In the win, he garnered two interceptions, including one that he returned 100 yards for a touchdown. His second quarter pick was one of three interceptions returned for touchdowns in the game by the Profs, and tied a school record for the longest interception return in program history. Barone, who also recorded three tackles from his safety position,
currently is tied for the conference lead in interceptions with three on the season.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
KAY ROBINSON • Rowan University
Freshman • Wide Receiver • Camden, NJ/Camden Catholic
Robinson becomes the third different Prof to earn NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week honors after helping Rowan secure a 56-20 home-opening NJAC victory over Brockport. In the win, he recorded four receptions for a team-high 103 yards, marking the first 100-yard receiving game of his collegiate career. Robinson currently ranks 22nd in the NJAC in receiving yards per game (35.3).