With bitter rival Rowan University on the horizon to end the season, the College’s football team came out and took care of business against Western Connecticut University on Saturday, downing the Colonials 47-10.
In what was the final home game of their careers for a large group of seniors, the Lions brought their A-game and hung 26 points on the Colonials in the first quarter. Realistically that number could have been 33 points, since the Lions scored within the first couple plays of the second quarter.
“All of the guys gave it their all today,” senior safety Shawn Brown said. “They made it known that the game was played for the seniors, and really being able to win at home is great. Nobody likes to lose in front of a home crowd, nobody likes to lose period, but these guys make it worth playing.”
Senior quarterback Jay Donoghue was dominant, rushing six times for 102 yards and a touchdown as well as passing for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Great as Donoghue’s individual performance was, he asserts he was only concerned with getting the team a win in the final home game of his career.
“It feels great,” he said. “I mean, I just wanted to get a win, that’s all I really cared about. So we got it done.”
This season was a grand culmination of Donoghue’s career at the College, as he ran the team’s run option offense to perfection throughout the entire season while gaining more and more confidence in his arm with every game. Donoghue credits his teammates for making his success possible.
“Our offensive line, man, when they’re protecting me I can just stand back there and pretty much hit anybody,” Donoghue said. “Our receivers are good enough to get open, so when I’ve got enough time, I’m going to take it.”
The defense was dominant as well, holding the rushing attack for Western Connecticut to under two yards per carry and rendering its passing game useless.
Brown picked off a Colonials pass early in the game, his fifth on the season, while senior defensive lineman John Kinzel dropped the quarterback for a sack, led the team in tackles with eight and had 2.5 tackles for loss.
Now the team has rival Rowan to look forward to, and a road showdown for its season finale.
“Rowan, man, big game, our biggest rival and we want to come out and win,” Donoghue said. “It was nice this one to get six wins and make sure we had a winning season this year, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t beat Rowan.”
