Montclair State quarterback Tom Fischer completed 15 of 25 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. Wideout Byron Lewin made four receptions for 42 yards. Running back Jeff Bliss ran for 36 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries.

Linebacker Brian Tweer compiled 10 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery. Defensive end Chris Merkle made nine tackles, while defensive back Ed Kirschenbaum had eight stops and one fumble recovery. Cornerback Gary Knoeppel contributed with six tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.

For Rowan, quarterback Frank Wilczynski threw for 235 yards and one touchdown with 19 completions in 39 attempts. Superback Ryan Leafey rushed for 72 yards on 16 carries. Wide receiver Vinnie Graff had four catches for 72 yards. Wideout James Kinloch hauled in three balls for 80 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Anthony Barone added five grabs for 43 yards.

Linebackers Jerome Gordon and Andrew Yezzi each registered 13 tackles. Gordon forced three fumbles and Yezzi had one interception. Defensive end Matt Hoffman followed with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. Linebacker Moe Ghotok forced a fumble and safety Eric Sharkey and defensive end Frank Olexson both had a fumble recovery.

Montclair State went ahead 7-0 at 4:06 in the first quarter. Bliss carried the ball into the end zone from two yards out. Fischer completed three of four pass attempts for 52 yards in the 11 play, 84 yard drive. At 6:46 in the second period, Fischer threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Letizia to put the Red Hawks up 14-0 at the half. Montclair State took over on downs at its own 35-yard line. Fischer hooked up with Letizia on the first play from scrimmage.

Rowan got on the scoreboard at 12:02 in the third quarter. Wilczynski connected with Kinloch on a 57 yard touchdown pass. With 1:17 remaining in the game, Rowan started on its own 20 yard line. The Profs drove down the field to the Montclair State 32 yard line, but the Red Hawks held their ground for the win.

Rowan hosts NJAC opponent The College of New Jersey in its final game of the season on Saturday, November 14 at 1 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Profs scored pretty much at will with the first teamers on Saturday evening. Ten touchdowns and a field goal were racked up by Rowan with 432 yards on the ground,  221 yards in the air, 95 yards in returns,  and two interceptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.  Got all that.  Wow.

Quarterback Frank Wilczynski, the NJAC Offensive Player of the Week, had a part in six touchdowns,  despite only playing the first half. He totaled 216 yards passing with 12 completions in 18 attempts and 141 yards rushing on nine attempts. His 68 yard TD run broke the Rowan record for longest gain (67 yards) by a quarterback that he set last week against Brockport.

The Profs also set the school record for most points scored in game. The old mark was 71 points when Rowan defeated Salisbury University, 71-14 in 1993. It was a record for the most points ever given up by the Colonials. In addition, Rowan tied the school record for most touchdowns scored by rushing and passing with 10 (vs. William Paterson, 2002).

Superback Tariq Gaines, the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week, was the Profs’ rushing leader with 143 yards on four touches and one touchdown. Superback Ryan Leafey carried the ball seven times for 47 yards. He also had 64 yards receiving with two grabs and one TD. Tight end Kevin DelleDonne totaled 69 yards with four catches. Wide receiver Dan Lisa added two receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown. Seven receivers caught passes.

Rowan has a 4-1 record with a 3-1 NJAC mark. Western Connecticut drops to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in the conference. The Colonials have lost 11 straight games and the streak dates back to last year when Rowan defeated Western Connecticut, 49-18.

On defense, linebacker Kevin Taylor compiled six tackles. End Matt Hoffman, linebacker Evan Picariello and linebacker Andrew Yezzi followed with five tackles apiece. Linebackers Steve Hague and Patrick Ruley and Picariello each recovered a fumble. Defensive back Frank Rubino  recorded an 83 yard interception return for a touchdown and free safety Mike Barone had a 38 yard interception.