WAYNE, N.J. – A late Pioneer touchdown, the fourth lead change of the fourth quarter, allowed William Paterson (2-5, 1-5 NJAC) to secure a 31-27 football victory against visiting Southern Virginia (0-7, 0-6 NJAC) Oct. 24.
Clinging to a 14-12 edge, freshman Nick DeAngelis (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) kicked a 24-yard field goal five seconds into the final period to push WP ahead by a 17-12 count.
The Knights answered with a 12-play, 57-yard scoring drive, capped by a one-yard John Harris touchdown carry (18-17, 9:26). Southern Virginia elected to go for two, and freshman quarterback Jacob Hatch found Harris for the successful conversion and a 20-17 lead.
Senior wide receiver Mike Vannucci (Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge) got behind the coverage and senior quarterback Anthony DiMarsico (Stony Point, N.Y./Suffern) lofted a pass deep, the play resulting in a 38-yard touchdown. DeAngelis' PAT made it a four-point game at 24-20 with 7:54 remaining.
Freshman Chris Owens returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to make it first-and-goal for SVU at the seven-yard line, and two straight carries by junior Lakeith Hopkins allowed the Knights to cross the goal line. Freshman Morgan Smith kicked the extra point and Southern Virginia owned a 27-24 edge with 7:01 to play.
William Paterson fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Knights recovered, giving them the ball at the WP-27. A carry for no gain was followed by a loss of a yard and a yard gained on the ground, and an incompletion on fourth-and-10 kept SVU off the scoreboard.
DiMarsico kept the next drive alive with a 17-yard run on third-and-seven from the Pioneers' 45-yard line, and six plays later senior running back Dwaine Dabney (Summit, N.J./Summit) ripped off a 13-yard carry to the one-yard line. Senior running back Darius Kersey (Dover, N.J./Dover) drove inside and found the end zone on the next play, and DeAngelis tacked on the PAT for a 31-27 William Paterson lead with 53 seconds remaining.
An SVU 13-yard completion to midfield moved the chains on third down, but back-to-back sacks by the Pioneer defense and then a Darrius Flowers (Vineland, N.J./Vineland) interception on a final heave ended the game and preserved the win.
DiMarsico finished 16-for-22 for 242 yards and two touchdowns under center, and carried five times for 34 yards. Dabney gained 98 yards and scored once on 17 attempts, and junior running back Malcolm Robinson (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) caught four passes for 86 yards and a TD.
Senior linebacker Carlo Caponetta (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) made a game-high and career-best 16 tackles, while sophomore linebacker Charles Faulkner (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) had 10 stops.
The Knights had the first scoring chance of the game, but Smith missed a 30-yard field goal wide left midway through the first quarter. The Pioneers took advantage, as Robinson beat his defender down the left sideline and DiMarsico found him for a 59-yard touchdown and a 7-0 edge with 5:53 left during the opening period.
A fumbled punt return gave the Knights excellent field position at the WP-10, and sophomore running back Jared Watts cashed in the turnover for points with a two-yard inside run. The extra-point kick hit the left upright, leaving it a 7-6 score at the 1:46 mark.
Dabney extended the Pioneers' lead with his cutback and burst to the left pylon, pushing WP ahead by a 14-6 count with 3:22 left in the first half.
A 10-yard Watts run during Southern Virginia's first possession of the second half pulled the Knights to within two, but Flowers blocked the PAT to keep it a 14-12 game with 9:17 on the clock.
Robinson's 83-yard kickoff return for a score was called back due to a holding call, and the Pioneer drive ended with a fumble inside the SVU-30. However, the Pioneer defense was able to limit the damage by forcing a three-and-out.
Kersey rushed 10 times for 22 yards and a touchdown, and hauled in seven passes for 41 yards. Senior linebacker Dennis Goodman (Somerset, N.J./Bishop Ahr) posted eight tackles (2.0 sacks).
Hatch finished 13-for-28 for 166 yards for SVU. Watts gained 51 yards and scored twice on 13 attempts, and Hopkins carried 12 times for 47 yards and a score. Sophomore tight end Michael Carroll caught two passes for 64 yards.
Freshman linebacker Joshua Davis led the Knight defense with seven tackles (1.5 TFL) and a fumble forced. Owens added six stops and a pass breakup.
William Paterson will host The College of New Jersey Saturday, Oct. 31, at 12:00 p.m.
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