Kean Defense Shuts Down TCNJ In 16-7 Win

(Photo by Tom Horak – Double G Media)

Credit the defense.

Seniors D’Wan McCrary and LeRon Dillard each scored a touchdown and Kean’s defense allowed just 195 yards of offense and intercepted three passes en route to a 16-7 victory over The College of New Jersey Friday in its home opener at Alumni Stadium in Union.

Kean (2-1) has won two straight games and has held two of its first three opponents to just seven points each.

McCrary opened the Cougars’ scoring with a 2-yard TD run with 11:36 remaining in the first quarter to give Kean a 7-0 halftime lead.

Junior kicker Aryeh Moslavi kicked a 31-yard field goal with 10:08 left in the third quarter to extend the Cougars’ lead to 10-0.

Mike Marchesano tacked on a 1-yard TD run with 1:28 left in the third quarter for The College of New Jersey to cut Kean’s lead to 10-7, but Dillard caught an 18-yard TD pass from Charles App with 2:36 left to put the game away for Kean.

Junior running back Brian Matthews had 30 carries for 125 yards and App completed 16-of-26 passes for 202 yards to pace the Cougars’ offense.

Junior linebacker Darin Hungerford continued his strong play with a team-leading 11 tackles for Kean, which forced four turnovers.

Kean hits the road again to face William Paterson (1-1) in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) battle in Wayne on Saturday, Sept. 24. William Paterson lost to Rowan, 31-0, on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.