Madison, NJ – The William Paterson Pioneers (1-1) mounted a strong running attack behind Freshman Terrique Riddick and Soph Marcel Mason who both scored two second half TDs to overpower FDU-Florham’s passing attack, 28-23. FDU, after a high-octane performance in a win over Kings Point, 56-48, launched into a quick start on Friday evening to take a 17-0 lead over William Paterson University. Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley noted Red Devil QB Anthony Caserta (39 for 55, 320 yards, two TDs) could really “zip” the football. The Junior from Fordham Prep fired a scoring strike to Tyler Adams (Warren Hills HS, NJ) from five yards out to finish an 88-yard opening drive, the only points on the board for either team in Q1.
Defensive forces
In the second, Nick Maciejewski drilled a 32-yard FG enhance the Red Devil lead, 10-0, that stood into halftime. The Devils held the Pioneer offense in check the entire first half holding them to only 98 yards. Twice in the first half, the Pioneers fumbled away the football to give the home team a few more opportunities to score. However, their defense rose to the occasion to thwart any more scores. Following their 12-9 opening loss to Western Connecticut the previous week, there looked to be little hope of the Pioneers generating any offense in this game.
Second half, same as the first?
WPU started the second half just as dismally with a three-and -out. After their second punt of the half, the Red Devils churned out a 67-yard scoring drive with Frosh WR Mark Kepler (Wharton, Morris Hills, NJ) taking it in at the six. FDU had all the momentum and a 17-0 lead.
Freshmen go to work
Pioneer HC and Offensive coordinator Dustin Johnson opened things up with a short passing game. His Freshman QB George Crespo aired the ball out completing several passes before Riddick (11 carries for 167 yards, two TDs) tore away for 41 yards to put seven up on the scoreboard for WPU with 3:15 left in the third. The drive signaled a sign of things to come. LB Bryan King sacked Caserta for a 12-yard loss to force the Devils to punt.
A Crespo completion to Frosh WR Matt Clarke at the Florham six set up a one-yard TD run by Mason to turn this into a ball game. With the Pioneers now trailing, 17-14, they started their next series at their won 30. Riddick, a 5’6” freshman, burst upfield for 45 yards to the Devils 25. He finished the drive with a two-yard run to give “Willy Pat” the lead, 21-17. WPU’s defense stiffened again to force an FDU punt. The Pioneers blazed a trail 76 yards with the final play a 10-yard TD run by Mason. With only 2:49 remaining, the underdog visitors had suddenly extended their lead, 28-17.
Final minutes
The Red Devils went to the air waves with Caserta spreading the ball to his targets. With 1:30 left, he fired a 14-yard scoring strike to Khrystan Camillo. The two-point attempt to get within a field goal failed with an incomplete pass. The Pioneers recovered the onsides kick and ran out the clock for their first victory since 2017. Players doused their second-year HC Dustin Johnson and began to celebrate after the handshakes. It was a shocking and inspirational victory for the Pioneers who fell to FDU at home a year ago, 31-17, lost their season opener, and finished 0-10 a year ago. With their young backfield, they hope to develop some momentum for this season and the program’s future over the next few years. For the Devils, it’s back to throwing the ball more down field. Like last season, lot of deep drops only result in getting the ball back to the line of scrimmage. High completion rates, but not enough yards per catch.
Next!
Paterson’s next game is in two weeks when they will go face SUNY-Maritime (1-1) out on Long Island. HC Brian Surace’s Red Devils travel to Widener to open up their Middle Atlantic Conference schedule. Collegefootballfan.com headed to Newark, Delaware to see the fighting Blue Hens host No. 1 North Dakota State, winners of five the last six FCS National Championships.