rowanfootball.com - The Independent Rowan Football Magazine

After three straight road games to open the season, the Profs were finally home.  Home is now a remodeled John Page Field with new stands and press box.  The stadium will be named after Coach Richard “Dick” Wacker.  Coach Wacker restarted a football program that went dormant after the 1950 season when the college did not have enough men to field a team due to the Korean War.  He was able to resume the program in 1963.

So it was certainly fitting that Rowan “pumped up the volume” by opening up their rebuilt home with a thumping of Brockport, including three defensive touchdowns.    The defense was led by Safety Mike Barone, the NJAC  Defensive Player of the Week. He had 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 (Jabrill Joseph, 2005) 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.  Rowan picked off Brockport quarterback Jake Graci five times.

The game was not as close as the 36 point win would indicate. Rowan scored the first 35 points, including Barone’s 100 yard interception return. Late in the second quarter the Golden Eagles managed to put togther a 71 yard, 10 play drive capped by runnng back Aaron Zurn’s five yard touchdown. The Profs scored the next 21 points, including two more interception returns for touchdowns.  After that, both teams made wholesale substitutions, allowing Brockport to score two more touchdowns, capping the scoring.

Safety Jack Buckley had a game-high 10 tackles. Yezzi added seven stops and safety Steve Wall followed with six tackles. Linebacker Moe Ghotok and cornerback Husain Shakir each intercepted one pass. Linebacker Andrew Yezzi had a 45 yard interception return for a touchdown, while cornerback Cody High took a lateral from Ghotok and scored on a 64 yard pick.

Profs’ quarterback Frank Wilczynski completed 12 of 17 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for a game best 147 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Superback Ryan Leafey added 50 yards and one touchdown on seven rushes. Tight end Kevin DelleDonne made five catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Kay Robinson, the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week racked up 103 yards on four receptions.

The Profs (1-1, 2-1)are looking to build on last week and start a winning streak to the NJAC title and/or playoff bid.  It starts with Brockport on Saturday. Only three NJAC teams remain undefeated in the NJAC: TCNJ (3-0, 3-0), Kean (2-0, 2-1), and Montclair (2-0, 2-1). TCNJ travels to Kean this Saturday night which will eliminate one of the undefeated teams.  TCNJ has been explosive on offense averaging over 57 points per game on offense while allowing 31 points on defense.

The Profs hold a 5-1 series advantage. Last season, Rowan recorded a 37-20 road victory over Brockport.

Brockport lost to Montclair State University, 41-39 on Saturday.  Quarterback Jake Graci scored on a quarterback sneak from two yards out with 52 seconds left to put Brockport ahead 39-35.  After the kickoff, the Red Hawks drove 61 yards on 6 plays in 38 seconds for the win.  Dan Keegan made a 14 yard TD reception from quarterback Tom Fischer for the win.

Quarterback Jake Graci completed 31 of 58 pass attempts for 442 yards and three touchdowns. He also had one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Matt Newman made eight catches for 124 yards and one TD. Wideout Felipe Diaz added 84 yards on eight grabs. Wide receiver Hector Rosas racked up 106 yards and a touchdown on two receptions. Running back Aaron Zurn rushed for 54 yards and two TDs on 18 touches.

Graci broke four school records against Montclair State. He surpassed the Brockport single game marks for total yards (460), passing yards (442) and passing attempts (58). His 95 yard touchdown toss to Rosas was the longest pass in the team’s history. Graci leads the NJAC in passing (294.7) and total offense (313.3) and he is second in pass efficiency (144.6)

Brockport is first in the NJAC in passing offense (294.7). The Golden Eagles are second in total offense (428.3) and pass efficiency (144.6). Brockport ranks third in scoring offense (32.7) and fourth in rushing (133.7).

Diaz is the conference leader with 6.0 receptions per game. He is also seven in receiving yards per game (66.7). Newman is tied for third in receptions (5.0) and fifth in receiving yards per game (76.3). Zurn is tied for sixth in rushing (59.7) and eighth in all-purpose yards (96.3). Linebacker Matt Mangano is fourth in tackles (9.7), while cornerback Cody Geffers ranks second in passes defended (2.0). Cornerback Derek Austin is fourth in punting (39.9). Emilio Genzano is tied for first in field goal percentage (100.0).

Profs quarterback Frank Wilczynski is second in the NJAC in scoring (9.0) and fifth in rushing (77.5) and total offense (227.0).  Ryan Leafey is fourth in rushing (79.0). Matt Hoffman is the leader in tackles for a loss (7.5) and he is second in sacks (3.5). Kicker Mark Getsinger is tied for second in field goals (1.0), tied for third in field goal percentage (75.0) and fourth in PAT percentage (88.9). Punter Andrew Smith ranks fifth (37.9). Safety Steve Wall is first in punt return average (10.6).

The Profs are the NJAC leaders in scoring defense (14.7), total defense (245.7), sacks (11) and rushing defense (72.7). Rowan is second in rushing (168.0) and third in punt return average (10.7). The Profs’ 115.6 pass efficiency defense is fourth and they are fifth in pass defense (173.0).

Rowan will be looking at a familiar offense on Saturday.  Brockport spreads the field just like the Profs.  The main exception is that the Golden Eagles uses a two back FB/RB set with three wide receivers without a tight end most of the time.  While Rowan usually uses a one back set with three wide receivers and a tight end.

Brockport is a pass happy offense. Pressure is going to be necessary for the Profs to win. The Golden Eagles have allowed only three sacks this season.  Graci spreads the ball around, five receivers have caught at least 10 passes.  The good news is that Brockport gives up almost 31.7 points-per-game.  Each team has played and beaten one common opponent this year in William Paterson.  Profs won last week 28-13. Brockport won three weeks ago 22-19 in their first game of the year.

I’d like to see more ball control from the offense this Saturday, and for the Profs to keep up the good special teams play.  This will give Rowan the field position advantage which will help the defense.  Lastly, Rowan has had a problem with fumbles in their own territory.  Two of which have led to touchdowns for the opponent.  If the Profs can take care of the football, I expect a win on Saturday.