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EWING – The scene could not have been more perfect for the TCNJ Lions to grab their first win of the 2015-16 season. The autumn sun shined on The College of New Jersey. It was the perfect day to hang out with friends, have a good time, and play some football.
Coincidently, all three happened last Saturday as TCNJ celebrated this year’s homecoming with a massive tailgate outside the Lions Stadium, while the Lions won their first game of the season in front of a full, passionate crowd, 23-20, against the Montclair State Red Hawks.
“To finally get our first victory of the season in front of a crowd like this, is special,” said Lions head coach, Wayne Dickens, at the end of the game. “We have worked very hard and it is great to see the results of such hard work.”
Despite their 0-5 start to the season, and a 19-6 loss to the Frostburg Bobcats in their last game, the Lions desperately wanted to make amends and win this game during their most popular and festive day of the season.
After a banal first quarter, the Lions took the lead late into the second quarter when kicker Brian Nagy scored a 25-yard field goal. Then, when it seemed that it would be all for the first half, offensive linebacker, Eddie Ashley, recovered a fumble from the Red Hawks to put the Lions into a good position to cause more damage.
The very next play then saw quarterback, Trevor Osler, throw a touchdown pass to senior Nick Craig from 27-yards to give TCNJ a 10-0 lead. The touchdown came just 12 seconds after Nagy scored from the field goal.
However, that would not be all for the half, as the Red Hawks did not stand down. Immediately, on their next move, running back, Denzel Nieves, scored off a five-yard run, and with the extra point, cut TCNJ’s lead to 10-6 going into halftime.
The third quarter began with the Montclair Red Hawks taking the lead the first and only time that day as senior Aaron Williams scored off a three-yard reception. Not long after though, defensive back, Jordan Rogers, intercepted a pass by Montclair.
Trevor Osler then only needed one play to get TCNJ back into the lead. His 22-yard throw was caught by senior Conor Mulholland and earned TCNJ a 17-13 lead heading into the last quarter.
The fourth quarter began with the Lions slowly pushing their way towards another touchdown. Nick Craig capped an 85 yard drive with a touchdown catch from quarterback Michael Marchesano to put TCNJ up by 10.
The Red Hawks, like they did towards the end of the first half, managed to put the Lions back on their toes and mount a late challenge. Wide receiver, Julanee Prince, caught a 28-yard pass to make it 23-20.
Despite the Red Hawks once again getting the ball back and even getting the ball into TCNJ’s half, the Lions’ defense held on for their first win of the season.
Once the scoreboard time clock reached 0:00, a cacophonous eruption was heard from all around the stadium as supporters and students alike celebrated.
With this victory, the Lions improve to 1-5 on the season overall, while the Montclair Red Hawks see the end of their three-game winning streak and thus go to 3-4 on the season. TCNJ is also 1-4 on league play in the New Jersey Athletic Conference while the Red Hawks go to 3-3 in league play.
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