Union, N.J. (11/9/13) – Junior Ed Eisenhart brought down the what would be the only touchdown of the game for the Rowan University football team as they edged Kean University by the final of 7-6 Saturday afternoon in NJAC action.
With just one second on the clock in the first half on the Kean 33 yard line, sophomore quarterback Bill McCarty threw a jump ball into the lefthand corner of the endzone which Eisenhart and the Kean defender both seemed to get their hands on. At the bottom of the pile, Eisenhart was credited with the catch with no time on the clock. The ensuing extra point from senior Dan Dawson was good as the Profs headed into the locker room with a 7-0 lead.
The Cougars (2-7, 1-5 NJAC) had an opportunity to get on the board earlier in the same quarter as Kean appeared to have converted a 36 yard field goal. The play clock was running out, however, and the Kean sideline called timeout to avoid the delay of game penalty, which forced the Cougars to replay the kick. The second kick missed left, negating the opportunity.
Starting with good field position late in the third quarter (on the Rowan 44 yard line), the Cougars took advantage of an 18 yard pickup as quarterback Robert Meade III found junior Eddie DeMarchi. Kean broke up the shutout with a 35 yard field goal from senior Bill Cullen to start the fourth quarter, now trailing 7-3.
The Cougar defense forced a three and out on Rowan's next possession and senior Sean McKee was able to start the Kean drive with good field position with a 14 yard punt return. Although unable to find the endzone, Kean did claw closer, this time a 38 yard field goal from Cullen, to pull within one, 7-6.
The Profs (7-2, 5-1 NJAC) used a reverse on the first play from scrimmage two gain ground in Kean territory. Rowan seemed to be marching in for a touchdown but on first-and-goal from the 10 yard line, sophomore Withler Marcelin had the ball stripped near the endzone that was recovered by Kean senior Matt Clerk at the three yard line.
After trading the next two possessions, the Cougars found themselves with the ball and just under three minutes to go in the contest deep in Rowan territory. Kean chipped away and used a 25 yard completion to senior Prince Stewart to find themselves on the Profs' 39 yard line. Two plays later, a dead ball personal foul put the Cougars back at midfield on fourth down. Kean's Hail Mary pass on fourth-and-21 went long, turning the ball over on downs with 22 seconds left. Rowan was able to kneel down to run out the clock.
On paper, the Cougars led in rushing yards (145 to 107), passing yards (134 to 106) and time of possession (34:19 to 25:41). Kean also tallied four sacks for 31 yards while the Cougar offensive was able to avoid any on the afternoon. Neither quarterback threw an interception.
Marcelin led the Profs with 112 yards on the ground while Eisenhart picked up 54 yards on four catches with the lone touchdown. McCarty completed nine-of-15 with 106 yards, one touchdown and four sacks. Sophomore Darren Dungee led the defense with a combined 18 total tackles.
For Kean, McKee recorded 107 rushing yards while Stewart had 55 yards on five catches. Junior David Ricca was tied for the team-high of seven tackles, with two and a half for a loss.
Kean closes out the 2013 season on Saturday, November 16th when they travel to Montclair State University with a new kickoff time of 6 p.m.
Rowan hosts the College of New Jersey on Friday evening at 7 p.m. With a Profs' win, they would receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship and claim the NJAC Championship.