/seasons/2025/contrib/20251004nefui9

William Paterson Runs Away from Castleton for 32-7 Homecoming Victory

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (2-2, 1-0 NJAC) turned a two-point lead into a 25-point victory, pulling away from Vermont State Castleton (2-2, 0-1 NJAC) for a 32-7 Homecoming football victory Oct. 4 at Wightman Stadium.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Sophomore defensive lineman Joseph Pressley ended Castleton's first possession by forcing a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Gavin Rembert, giving the Pioneers the ball at the Spartan-24. Three plays later, sophomore quarterback JC Landicini's ball was hauled in by a leaping Brion Dorsey along the left edge of the end zone, and senior Matt Davidson kicked the PAT, handing William Paterson a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
  • Pressley's sack in the end zone tacked on two WP points via a safety, making it a 9-0 game four seconds into the second period.
  • The Spartans answered with a 17-yard pass play at the back of the end zone, cutting the Pioneers' lead to 9-7 with 10:48 on the clock in the second.
  • Senior defensive back Knasir Alston snared an interception and returned it 21 yards to pay dirt, creating a 15-7 edge 4:38 before halftime.
  • Davidson's 40-yard field goal made it a two-score game at 18-7 with 13:59 remaining.
  • Landicini found freshman wide receiver Hassan Moore for an 11-yard score at the 6:00 mark (25-7), and a Castleton throw on fourth-and-23 was intercepted by senior defensive back Darrell Mims, who wound his way 32 yards for the final score of the day (32-7, 3:29).

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

  • Landicini went 12-for-23 for 181 yards and two touchdowns under center.
  • Junior running back Ethan MacNair carried 13 times for 36 yards.
  • Sophomore wide receiver Kyle Manley caught three passes for 70 yards, while Dorsey finished with three receptions, 56 yards and a score.
  • Junior linebacker Karim Nasser led the defense with seven total tackles (five solo), including 1.5 sacks. Senior defensive back James Nevels added four stops to his forced fumble and interception.
  • Pressley collected four tackles (3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and a fumble forced.
  • The Pioneers had two pick-sixes for the second straight game, and now own 10 interceptions overall through four games this season.
  • William Paterson's 25-point win was the largest Homecoming margin of victory since a 49-23 result against Maritime (9/28/13).
  • The Spartans were playing their first game as an associate member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).

 

UP NEXT:

  • William Paterson travels to Ewing to face The College of New Jersey Saturday, Oct. 11, at 3:00 p.m.

 

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

Jan. 4: All times Eastern
Final
UW-River Falls 24, at North Central (Ill.) 14
@ Canton, Ohio
Video Box Score Photos
Dec. 20: All times Eastern
Final
at North Central (Ill.) 41, John Carroll 21
Box Score Recap
Final
at UW-River Falls 48, Johns Hopkins 41
Video Box Score Recap Recap Photos
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