By Tyler Morello
Staff Writer
With a victory against William Paterson University on Saturday, Nov. 9, the College’s football team claimed their first winning season since 2011.
It was not quite the showing that fans have seen from the Lions' offense as of late, but they were able to convert timely downs while the defense was able to keep the now 1-8 Pioneers at bay to win 21-14.
The Lions were perhaps seeking a blowout win against a William Paterson squad that has had some serious struggles in conference play this year. The Pioneers dropped to 0-5 against schools in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, and the Lions moved to 3-2.
William Paterson came out of the gates with a different type of intensity than they have had in previous games, as they were still searching for their first conference win.
The Lions were immediately on upset watch when the Pioneers returned a fumble to the house on the very first drive of the game. This matchup may have been one that was overlooked within the College’s locker room, but this early wake up call shifted the mentality of the Lions sideline.
Then down 7-0, the offense strung together a seven-play 67 yard drive, highlighted by a 32-yard completion to junior tight end Patrick Obrey, followed by a one yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Jayson Schmidt.
The College’s defense then forced the first of many three and outs on the Pioneers' offense. They received great field position at their own 43 yard line, and got down into the red zone thanks to a long catch by fifth-year tight end Thomas Burke.
Schmidt ran in for his second touchdown of the game to put the Lions up 14-7 midway through the first quarter. Senior Amir Vick came up with his second interception in as many games when the Pioneers were in the red zone early in the second quarter.
Both offenses seemed to stall out at this point, as the score went unchanged into halftime.
Toward the end of the 3rd quarter, Schmidt punched in his third touchdown of the game from the five yard line.
What seemed like a comfortable lead quickly shifted after a 52-yard kick return from the Pioneers to start themselves off into the Lions’ territory.
After a couple of runs to get down to the Lions’ seven yard line, the defense was up for a crucial third down. They were able to stand strong and come away with a fumble recovery. Junior Christian Bennett forced the fumble while junior Dave Giulian recovered.
The Lions were able to chew out most of the clock in the fourth quarter, before the Pioneers scored a 69-yard touchdown on a deep prayer on fourth down. The Lions successfully recovered the onside kick try and knelt out the final seconds of the game.
Fifth-year quarterback Trevor Bopp had an uncharacteristic stat line for his standards, only completing 13 of his 29 pass attempts without any touchdowns. He was effective in those 13 completions, however, throwing for 231 yards.
Fellow fifth-year Malin Jasinski was coming off three straight contests with at least 10 receptions, 100 yards, and a touchdown, but failed to reach any of these marks.
The winning season was secured, and now the College’s attention turns to their final matchup of the 2024 season against Christopher Newport University on Saturday, Nov. 16, as they try to put an exclamation mark on a terrific season.
