William Paterson entered homecoming weekend ranked as the worst offense in all of Division III football. The woes continued as the Pioneers offense managed to score only one touchdown in a 59-7 loss to Frostburg State University.

The theme for the Pioneers offense has been lack of execution. WPU has already turned the ball over 16 times this season.

Through the air, the Pioneers have completed only 36 percent of their passing attempts. The ground game hasn’t been effective either as William Paterson has averaged only 1.6 yards per rush.

“We’re just going to get better,” said head coach Jerry Flora.  “We just made some tweaks to the offense, because that’s what our job is, our job is to try and get better.”

Averaging less than two yards per play heading into kickoff, William Paterson was desperate for a spark. The kindling refused to light as both the running and passing game was stymied by a talented Bobcats defense.

Throughout the second half, the offense managed to move the ball on a few drives. Although only one ended in a touchdown, it was a start for a team that looked over matched in the first half.

“That’s a huge positive,” said Waldron. “Going into next game we definitely have more confidence in our offense.  Just seeing us gaining positive yards, that definitely helps.”

The loss to Frostburg State extended William Paterson’s losing streak to 12 games. Despite the skid, Waldron believed that this team will continue to fight.

“You would think that we go in there and we’re pointing fingers, and no that’s not how it is,” said Waldron. “We’re not going to lay down, we’re not going to roll over.”

The offensive struggles have put the defense into terrible situations. With their backs against the wall, the Pioneers defense can only stand for so long.

Defensive captain and linebacker Charles Faulkner made no excuses for the defensive unit.

“At the end of the day, we still have a job to do, we still have to execute and make sure nobody gets in the end zone,” Faulkner said. “So that’s on our part despite where the ball is set and despite our field position.

In his senior season, Faulkner is leading William Paterson with 54 tackles and is sharing the team-high in tackles for loss with fellow senior Omar Mahmoud.

The lone Pioneers scoring play of the day came on an impressive trick-play. With 6:39 left in the third quarter, senior running back Aqeel Daniels-Lundy took the ball on a reverse play and decided to go deep. He threw a perfect strike to wideout Tyler Vivian for a 52-yard score.

The trickery worked for the Pioneers as Vivian had  himself a career day. The senior wide receiver hauled in four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, the first of his career.

“I asked coach if we could start taking some shots,” Vivian said. “I was able to bait the corner, Aqeel made a phenomenal throw and I was able to take it in for a touchdown.”

The Pioneers will try to snap their losing streak against Christopher Newport University on Saturday, October 21.