Rowan University makes quick work of WestConn, 72-14
DANBURY, CT (Oct. 10)— The Rowan University football team came into Saturday night's game averaging 31.8 points a game. Against the Colonials, it nearly reached that mark with 5:05 remaining in the second quarter when it led 31-0 and was on its way to a 72-14 victory over Western Connecticut State University at The WAC.
Senior quarterback Frank Wilczynski (Pine Hill, NJ), a transfer from University of Delaware, frustrated the Colonials defense from the first play from scrimmage, until he was told by eighth-year head coach Jay Accorsi that his night was over at intemission.
Eighteen seconds into the game, Wilczynski hooked up with super back Ryan Leafey (Westville, NJ) on a 59-yard slant for the Profs' first of 10 touchdowns.
By the break, Wilczynski had completed 12 of 18 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns and rushed nine times for 141 yards and an additional three scoring runs. His touchdown runs came from 68, 53 and two yards while his powerful right arm was involved on scores from 59, 10 and nine yards. His 68-yard TD run broke the Rowan record for longest gain (60 yards) by a quarterback that he set last season against Morrisville State.
Rowan, now 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the highly competitive New Jersey Athletic Conference, amassed 653 total offensive yards with 423 of those yards coming in the first 30 minutes.
The Profs set the school record for most points scored in game. The old mark was 71 points when Rowan defeated Salisbury University, 71-14 in 1993. It was also the record for the most points ever given up by the Colonials. The old record of 57 points was yielded to Southern Connecticut in 1981 in a 57-0 loss on November 11. In addition, Rowan tied the school record for most touchdowns scored by rushing and passing with 10 (vs. William Paterson, 2002).
The Profs were just as effective defensively, returning two interceptions 121 yards, including an 83-yard return for a touchdown from Frank Rubino (Montgomery, NJ) in the early stages of the fourth quarter. The visitors yielded just 270 yards on the night, with 206 of those coming over the final two stanzas.
WestConn avoided the shut out when back-up quarterback Chris Sloat (Stratford, CT) connected with Jeff Johnston (New Fairfield, CT) for a 21-yard touchdown with 10:22 remaining in the contest.
Rowan, which has now averaged 43.8 points in the eight-game series that dates back to 2001 NCAA Division III Tournament, improves to 8-0 against the Colonials.
The Profs ground attack was led by back-up super back Tarig Gaines (Glassboro, NJ) who finished with 143 yards on four carries for an average of 35.8 yards a run. He scored on a 61-yard run with 9:59 remaining in the game.
The Colonials, 0-5 overall and 0-4 in the NJAC, added seven more when Lionel Assie (Bridgeport, CT) barreled in from five yards out with just over five minutes left.
Freshman Tyler DeRosa (Miller Place, NJ) led the Colonials with seven carries for 72 yards, 38 of that coming on a long run down the left sideline in the closing minutes.
Senior signal caller James Williams (Wolcott, CT) completed just 6 of 16 passes for 46 yards before yielding to Sloat. Williams wound up being WestConn's top receiver with four catches for 21 yards.
WestConn takes to the road next Saturday when it travels to Cortland State for a 1 pm kick off. The Profs are at Morrisville State for a noon start on October 17.
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