Rowan Football Dominates William Paterson
By Jacob Keppen
Published in Sentinel of Gloucester County Print Edition Week of 9/20/2018
The Profs keep on rolling. After starting the season 2-0 (1-0 in the NJAC), Rowan hosted William Paterson for their first home game of the season. Rowan football defended their home stadium in style, dominating the William Paterson Pioneers to a 22-6 victory.
The contest was deadlocked early on, neither offense able to gain a footing early on in the 4th quarter. Rowan got on the board first with quarterback Riley Giles connecting with running back John Mannion for a 13 yard touchdown. William Paterson nearly responded with a 38 yard bomb, but the touchdown was called back due to holding.
Rowan would increase their lead in the 2nd quarter with a 16 yard Alex Boyko field goal. Rowan looked even more threatening on the next drive, when they forced a William Paterson fumble. The Profs would eventually go up 13-0 due to another Boyko field goal.
Rowan’s defense would keep making big plays on William Paterson’s 1st 3rd quarter drive, with Travelle Curry intercepting a Tracey Fudge pass. Curry would return the ball all the way to the Pioneers 5 yard line, but unfortunately Rowan would have to settle for another Boyko field goal. Rowan would have a 4th quarter scoring opportunity thwarted by the Pioneers who blocked a Profs field goal. Rowan’s defense would force another fumble, leading to a Messiah Divine touchdown on the ensuing drive.
William Paterson made a push down the field in garbage time, eventually gaining a consolation touchdown, a 24 yard touchdown to tight end William Frees to cut the Rowan lead to 22-6. Rowan would kill the remaining time.
Riley Giles had quite the game, completing 33 of 40 passes for 227 yards and touchdown (as well as an interception). Tight end Cody Madden, running back Messiah Divine, and wide receiver Elijah Rehm all caught 8 balls. Running back John Mannion gained 39 yards on the ground and caught a touchdown pass.
Rowan killed the Pioneers defense with simple short passes. Swing passes to running backs was deadly. While Giles had a big game through the air, Messiah Divine impressed me the most. The sophomore was deadly in the passing game, gaining big yardage. William Paterson did a really good job shutting down Rowan’s rushing attack, but Divine was extremely dangerous in the passing game. Divine has carved out a nice role that could increase. He will definitely be one to watch now and in the coming years. On defense the Profs had quite the game, causing the Pioneers to commit multiple mistakes. Those mistakes are really what killed William Paterson, because when they were driving they looked good (the touchdown pass that was called back was a beauty).
Rowan will travel to Frostburg State for their next game. The 2-0 Bobcats are not only one of the best in the NJAC but in all of Division 3 football. They steamrolled over both Stevenson and TCNJ earlier this season. Wide Receiver Malik Morris will be one to watch. The junior has caught 7 balls for 223 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
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