WAYNE, N.J. – The Vermont State University Castleton football team dropped its first-ever New Jersey Athletic Conference contest on Saturday afternoon, falling 32-7 at William Patterson University.
The Basics
• Final Score: William Paterson 32, VTSU Castleton 7
• Location: Wightman Stadium – Wayne, N.J.
• Records: William Paterson 2-2 (1-0 NJAC) | Castleton 2-1(0-1 NJAC)
How It Happened
It was the hosting Pioneers who were able to score first, after forcing a fumble on the Spartans' first drive of the contest to set themselves up at the Spartan-24. It took three plays for them to covert on a toss to Brion Dorsey for the score, while Matt Davidson made it 7-0 with a successful PAT midway through the first quarter.
William Paterson tacked on another two points four seconds into the second stanza as Joseph Pressely was able to sack
Jhai Vellon for a safety, making it 8-0.
Castleton redeemed itself on the Pioneers' next drive, forcing a three-and-out after a pair of incomplete passes and a
Tyler Buxton stop at the line of scrimmage.
With 13:50 remaining in the first half, the Spartans started a three-minute drive that covered 72 yards in seven plays, ending in a 17-yard reception by
Brody Tyburski for a score.
Connor Chilson was successful on the PAT to pull his squad within two, 9-7. WP was able to score once more before time ran out, with a pick-six at 4:38, putting them ahead 15-7 heading into the half.
The game remained close through the third, seeing neither team able to get things moving on offense, William Paterson with two turnovers on downs, Castleton with one.
WP was able to find its footing in the final stanza, tacking on 17 points. It scored three points on a 27-yard field goal, seven on a receiving touchdown and PAT and seven on a pick-six and PAT.
By the Numbers
- Buxton led the Spartan defense with 11 tackles, 10 solo and one assisted. Of his tackles, 3.5 of them were for a loss, totaling 12 yards. He also owned the team's only sack, going for a loss of eight. He added a forced fumble to his stat line.
- Vellon spent the day in the pocket, throwing 18-for-33, 132 yards and a touchdown.
- Mike Flores led his squad on the ground with 33 yards on 13 rushes.
- Tyburski led the receiving corps with four receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown. He and Daniel Doherty IV each had 17-yard receptions.
What's Next
The Spartans will return home next Saturday, October 11, as they play host to the Captains of Christopher Newport University for another NJAC contest, set for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
