CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton football squad failed to tame the Lions, falling 48-7 to The College of New Jersey at home on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
• Final Score: The College of New Jersey 48, VTSU Castleton 7
• Location: Dave Wolk Stadium – Castleton, Vt.
• Records: TCNJ 5-1 (2-1 NJAC) | Castleton 2-4 (0-3 NJAC)
How It Happened
Castleton received the ball first, with Ty Dowell returning the opening kickoff 20 yards to the Castleton 28-yard line. The drive resulted in a turnover on downs, giving TCNJ possession at the 35. The visitors made quick work of the short field, scoring in five plays for the game's first touchdown. Tim Willever's extra-point kick was good, giving the Lions an early 7-0 lead (10:46).
The Spartans responded with a promising drive down to the Lions' 11-yard line, setting up a 21-yard Connor Chilson field goal attempt. Chilson's kick was blocked by Sam Kuhns and returned by Bill Westerby to the Castleton 40, where Chilson and Deacon Schneider forced him out of bounds. TCNJ capitalized on the ensuing possession, extending its lead to 14-0 after one quarter.
Early in the second quarter, a Jhai Vellon pass was intercepted by TCNJ's Justin Kurc and returned 50 yards for a pick-six, making it 20-0 after CJ Childs got a hand on the extra-point attempt. The Lions struck again on their next drive, pushing the advantage to 27-0 with 2:21 remaining in the half.
Castleton made a final push before the break, covering 57 yards in 13 plays before turning it over on downs as time expired.
The third quarter was all TCNJ, as the visitors added 21 points to stretch the lead to 48-0.
With 10 minutes remaining in the contest, the Spartans finally found their rhythm offensively, marching 92 yards in five minutes. Dowell powered the drive with 30 rushing yards, while Anthony Anderson Jr. added 18 on the ground before capping it off with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Vellon—his second score in as many games. Chilson's extra point made it 48-7 with five minutes to play.
Each team had one more possession, but neither was able to add to the scoreboard, resulting in a 48-7 final in favor of TCNJ.
By the Numbers
• Four Spartans recorded more than 40 receiving yards: Brody Tyburski (53), Dowell (47), Josh Peguero (46), and Daniel Doherty IV (43). Close behind was Braden Lankarge with 35 yards on four catches.
• Anderson Jr. totaled 31 yards—15 through the air and 16 on the ground—while accounting for Castleton's lone touchdown.
• Schneider was a force defensively, racking up 20 tackles (14 assisted, six solo).
• Dowell led the return game with five kick returns for 91 yards.
• Vellon went 30-for-55 for 271 yards, marking a season-best passing performance for the transfer.
What's Next
The Spartans will close out their home slate next Saturday, October 25, when they host Montclair State for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
