Union, N.J. (9/22/12) – Senior Darius Kinney ran for a career-high 207 yards as the Kean University football team topped #17 the College at Brockport, 14-6, Saturday afternoon in the NJAC opener for the Cougars.
For the second straight game, Kean (1-2, 1-0 NJAC) faced a ranked opponent, this time coming out with the outcome they hoped for as the Cougars held Brockport (3-1, 1-1 NJAC) to just six points, as the Golden Eagles entered the day averaging 34.3 points per game this season.
Both teams had their opening drives stall, but the Cougars took advantage of their second possession as a Golden Eagle penalty put Kean into the visitor's territory. Later in the drive, Kinney pushed the ball down the field to the 17 yard line with a 20 yard gain. After a Kean penalty backed them up 10 yards, the Cougars used a reverse from senior Louis Haynes to senior Deandre Fowlkes to give Kean an early 7-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, both teams attempted field goals on back-to-back possessions and Kean's 38 yard attempt and Brockport's 39 yard attempt both were wide left.
Brockport used their next possession to put points on the board, marching down the field 74 yards on 13 plays. Five of senior quarterback Joe Scibilia's 17 completions on the afternoon would come in the drive, in addition to 29 rushing yards, including the final six yards of the drive as he pushed into the endzone. The ensuing extra-point was blocked by the Cougar special teams unit, holding the Kean lead now to one.
The score would remain that way until late in the third quarter as Kinney took the first play from scrimmage, after a punt touchback, down the field for 80 yards for a 13-6 lead. Junior Bill Cullen tacked on the extra point, giving the Cougars a 14-6 lead.
The Cougar defense came up with big plays, as the Golden Eagle offense stalled just outside redzone territory thanks to a sack by senior Jerelle Peay that lead to a fumble, recovered by senior Dan Wollman, with 2:28 to go in the third quarter.
Brockport had two opportunities in their last four possessions, but both times the Cougar defense halted the chance. With just under 11 minutes to go in the game, Scibilia completed his longest pass of the day, a 42 yard strike to junior Jake Spalik to push Brockport into Kean territory. But two incomplete passes and a rush for no gain held the drive. One play later, Brockport seemed to turn things around, forcing a fumble and recovering the ball in Cougar territory. Kean appeared to stop the drive with an interception in redzone territory, however a penalty, one of 13 called against them on the day, instead gave Brockport a first-down at the 21 yard line. Two incomplete passes and a tackle for a loss left Brockport with a fourth-and-11 at the Kean 22. Senior Joe Mendes stopped the drive, forcing Scibilia out-of-bounds before reaching the first-down marker.
With a minute and 30 seconds to go in the contest, rookie Nate Philipson punted the ball inside the 10, while the special teams unit downed the ball at the six, backing up the Golden Eagle offense for their last drive of the day. After picking up a first-down, four incomplete passes ended Brockport's last chance, turning the ball over on downs. Kean took a knee to run out the clock.
Scibilia was 17-of-41 for 147 yards for Brockport. Sophomore running back Tyrone Nichols netted 100 yards on the ground while Spalik recorded 70 yards receiving. On defense, junior Anthony Bianchi tallied a game-high 11 total tackles, with one force fumble.
Junior Christian Bailoni finished the day with 14 completed passes (14-of-22) for 76 yards. On the ground, junior Sean McKee picked up 50 yards. On defense, Wollman registered 10 total tackles, one tackle-for-a-loss, a fumble recovery, a breakup and a quarterback hurry. Senior Chris VanFechtman, Peay and senior Brad Higgins all finished with eight tackles apiece. They also added a sack, three tackles-for-a-loss and forced a fumble.
Kean heads to the road to take on Morrisville State College next Saturday, September 29th at noon.