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Kicker Billy Daniels recorded a 26 yard field goal in the second overtime to give Kean University a 23-20 win over Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.

In the first overtime, Kean went ahead 20-17 in the first series with a 37 yard field goal by Daniels. Kicker Mark Getsinger tied the score with a 37 yard field goal on Rowan’s series. In the second overtime, the Profs missed a 40 yard field goal attempt before Daniels kicked the game winning field goal.

The Cougars are 7-1 overall and they are undefeated in the conference with a 7-0 mark. Rowan is 6-2 overall with a 5-2 NJAC mark.

Kean quarterback Tom D’Ambrisi passed for 78 yards with 10 completions in 23 attempts. He carried the ball 13 times for 44 yards and one touchdown. Running back Jared Chunn totaled 93 yards with 26 carries. Derric Harris led the receivers with three catches for 37 yards.

On defense, free safety Mike Mancini compiled 12 tackles and one sack for a loss of nine yards. Linebacker Bekim Bujari contributed with 11 tackles while strong safety Jamahl Williams and linebacker Victor D’Arrigo added 10 apiece. Williams also recorded one interception.

For Rowan, quarterback Frank Wilczynski made 12 of 28 attempts for 91 passing yards. He rushed for 69 yards on 18 attempts and one TD. Superback Ryan Leafey rushed 19 times for 78 yards. Wide receiver Kay Robinson had 31 yards with four grabs. Linebacker Jerome Gordon totaled 11 tackles, including seven solo stops and one interception.

Linebacker Andrew Yezzi registered nine tackles and three tackles for a loss (-8 yards). Strong safety Rocky Aliberti collected six tackles and forced a fumble. Free safety Mike Barone recovered a fumble and had four tackles.

Rowan was ahead 17-7 going into the final quarter. Daniels nailed a 22 yard field goal at 9:46 and Kean trailed by seven points. With 1:49 remaining, D’Ambrisi scored with a one yard carry and Daniels kicked the extra point that tied the game. The Profs were stopped on their next drive and the Cougars started with the ball on their 13 yard line. On the first play, DiAmbrisi was picked by Gordon at the Kean 23 yard line. Rowan’s 38 yard field goal attempt with 1:04 left to win the game was wide right.

The Profs started the second half with an opening kick return of 100 yards for a touchdown by superback Tariq Gaines. Getsinger put the Profs ahead 17-7 with a 24 yard field goal with 51 seconds remaining in the third period. The scoring drive was 14 plays and spanned 87 yards. Leafey contributed with 46 yards on three carries in the drive.

After a scoreless first quarter, Rowan got on the scoreboard when Wilczynski kept the ball for a four yard touchdown run at 7:35. The lead was short lived because Williams returned the Profs’ kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown 17 seconds later. The score was tied at seven after the first half.

Next week, Rowan is home on Saturday, November 7 against Montclair State University at 1 p.m.

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.