The William Paterson Pioneers will take a trip to Rowan University on Saturday, October 18, in Glassboro, N.J.
William Paterson looks to bounce back after a rough loss to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). While Rowan is following up on a double-digit victory over their rival Montclair State in the 2nd annual Breakfast Bowl.
This past game saw the Pioneers get destroyed, losing 42-0 to the Lions. They struggled to find any offensive rhythm, and even when they did for a split second, they would shoot themselves in the foot with penalties.
They had a moment of life in the second quarter where they would go on a 20-play, 75-yard drive.
Despite driving all the way down to TCNJ’s nine-yard line, Pioneers quarterback Nigel Jennings would attempt a pass across his body. This play would end in a backbreaking mistake.
This served as the turning point of the game. TCNJ defensive back Justin Kurc intercepted the ball, killing all the momentum William Paterson had.
According to head coach Shaun Williams, he would disagree with the notion that Jennings’s interception was the turning point.
“Obviously it was a difficult time for us. You know, we still, you know, it’s always crucial to even put it together, you know, a 20-player drive, I believe. And, you know, we get down in the red zone, and you don’t want to let the opportunity pass by where you can put points on the board, especially in the game that’s close at that time at 14 to nothing. So, you know, it’s obviously one play of many that, you know, led to our, you know, us losing that game.”
While defensively they had no answer for TCNJ’s rushing attack despite knowing they would run the ball almost every single play.
This was evident in the fact that the Lions ran the ball 54 times and the Pioneers conceded 226 total rushing yards, 4.2 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns.
Rowan comes into this game with a 3-1-1 record, looking to ride the wave of a 38-26 victory this past week at Montclair State.
During this matchup their offense excelled on the ground and through the air. As they ran for 159 yards, 4 yards per carry, and 3 rushing touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Nate Maiers completed 18 of his 27 passes for 219 passing yards and 1 touchdown.
Rowan’s defense did allow Montclair State’s star running back Dante Wilson to pop off for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries.
Their pass defense performed much better, as they only gave up 126 passing yards with zero touchdowns and forced one interception.
Rowan is a team built on the offense carrying the load. Their offense ranks third in the NJAC for points per game with 37.2.
Along with the fifth-best rushing attack with 141 rushing yards a game. The second-best passing game with 268 passing yards per game. And the third most total yards per game with 409.
Their defense has allowed 23 points and 92.8 rushing yards per game, but only 3.2 yards per carry. In the air is where this unit has been their most vulnerable, giving up 224.2 passing yards a game.
In order for the Pioneers to flip the page this week, their offense needs to score at least 24 points. In their past three games, Rowan’s defense has allowed 23, 49, and 26 points to their opponents.
Their defense only forced two turnovers, showing that as long as William Paterson avoids turnovers and penalties that will set them behind the sticks. They will have opportunities to have drives where they will score.
This will happen especially if the offense can get in the red zone, where Rowan’s defense has allowed their opponents to score on 11 of 14 red zone trips.
With the defensive side of the ball, William Paterson needs to limit Rowan’s explosive aerial attack.
Rowan averaged 9.5 yards per pass attempt, and 268 of their total 409 yards per game come from their passing game.
But there is one specific player the Pioneers can’t let go of, with that player being junior running back Nunes Bukula IV, who is the engine for Rowan’s offense, as he’s a weapon both in the run and pass game.
On the season Bukula has achieved 272 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per carry, 4 rushing touchdowns, 251 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.
During their past three games, in their only loss, Bukula finished with 70 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. In their two wins, Bukula combined for 250 yards from scrimmage and 3 touchdowns.
While on the surface, the Pioneers beating Rowan and darkening the cloud over their Homecoming weekend may not seem feasible, if the Pioneers offensively cut down self-inflicted mistakes, exploit Rowan’s shaky pass defense, and score 24 or more points.
While defensively limiting their passing attack and holding star running back Nunes Bukula IV to 70 yards or less from scrimmage and zero touchdowns.
William Paterson can not only redeem themselves but also show they are not going back to their same old Pioneer ways.
