The William Paterson Pioneers will host the Vermont State Castleton Spartans in their much-anticipated homecoming game. There they will try to end a three-year streak of homecoming losses.
This matchup features two teams looking to establish more consistency. With the Pioneers coming off a commanding victory against the Moravian Greyhounds. While the Spartans, after their long rest, attempt to get back on track after getting dominated in their homecoming game by the University of New England.
Following up a commanding 38-14 victory over the Greyhounds, William Paterson enters this contest with momentum. During this game, they showcased their offensive ability, showing that they are always one play away from making a big play.
The Pioneers were killing the Moravian secondary with explosives through the air. Quarterback Nigel Jennings delivered a 62-yard touchdown pass to Tequan Thomas. Jenning capitalized, delivering a pass right on the money down the sideline to Brian Dorsey for a 23-yard touchdown.
But it wasn’t only William Paterson’s offense making big-time plays; the defense showed out as well. With senior defensive back James Nevels being a standout in the Pioneers’ incredible defensive showing. During this game Nevels achieved two pick-sixes, and both were game-swinging plays.
The first one would tie the game 14-14 at the start of the 2nd quarter. And the second one occurred at the start of the 3rd quarter to give the Pioneers a 24-14 lead.
Nevels commented on the mind games that served as indicators to help him make those plays.
“We saw that look before, earlier in the game. We had changed the game plan for what we were going to do with that formation. QB kept on peeking over at that receiver, so I kind of had the ID, and like, okay, 1 on 1, maybe he would try to attack that person. So I just got back. I saw him throw it up. There was pressure in his face; he got the ball, made one guy miss, and saw the sideline. I’m like, “Let’s go.”
With his second pick-six being a similar story, but this time a pivot route being the giveaway on where the QB wanted to throw.
“So he did that peek again, and then they had already run that route a couple times earlier in the game. So, just really knowing, like, the down and distance, knowing that it wasn’t really many yards that they had to get, just trying to basically, like, guess the route, and then I saw it and just trusted myself.”
Vermont State enters this match with a 2-1 record, coming off a long rest after getting dominated 35-8 in their homecoming game against the University of New England. During their past game, the Spartans were able to achieve 113 rushing yards; that was their only positive aspect.
Their starting quarterback Mitch Chaves threw for 138 yards on top of zero touchdowns and two interceptions. While the defense gave up 536 total yards and forced zero turnovers.
This season they’ve shown they’re a team that relies on their defense and chewing the clock. Which is evident in their lackluster 18 points per game. A rushing attack, despite producing 114.7 yards per game, has only mustered 3.3 yards per carry.
Despite not being an explosive offense, they have a high third-down conversion at 41.46%. Their defense has shown they can be a unit to rely on. As they’ve only allowed 18.33 points per game, a third down conversion rate of 32.56%, and a fourth down conversion rate of 22.2%.
But their run defense can be attacked, as they’ve conceded an average of 148.7 rushing yards per game. In order for William Paterson to walk out victorious, their defensive unit needs to stop Vermont State’s run game on early downs. As a result, getting the Spartans in third and long forces them to get out of their element and become more of a passing team.
Once they get in those third and long situations, they force Vermont State to punt. Offensively the Pioneers need to attack the Spartans’ shaky run defense, putting them in position to have third and manageable situations. With those situations they need to get first downs on those opportunities.
William Patterson needs to leverage the success of their run game to open up space down the field for Nigel Jennings to take advantage of with his strong arm.
While defensively they are able to stop Vermont State’s run game on early downs, force three-and-outs, and make them rely on their aerial attack. Take advantage of the Spartans’ weak run defense, position themselves with good third-down situations, and leverage their run game to create space for explosives in the air.
A victory is not unattainable, and William Paterson could give themselves a jolt of momentum as NJAC play is quickly approaching.
