WAYNE, N.J. -- (September 20, 2025) -- Salve Regina University football (3-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) defeated William Paterson University (0-2, 0-0 NJAC), 24-12, in its first visit to Wightman Field since 2014.
Both teams kicked field goals in the first quarter.
Nathan DiRado's 28-yard boot capped a seven-play drive for the Seahawks who started on the William Patterson 43-yard line after a three-and-out for the Pioneers.
Justan Luzzi had two plays for 28 yards -- a three-yard rush and a 25-yard pass reception -- before DiRado's kick.
Matt Davidson equaled the score with his 27-yard field goal on the third Pioneer possession. Quarterback
Nigel Jennings connected on back-to-back passes with
Kyle Manley to cover 71 yards and reach the Salve Regina two-yard line.
Patrick Woodford kept Manley from the end zone and
James Minotti stopped Jennings on a one-yard rush up the middle before two yellow flags (false start, illegal formation) backed the Pioneers up 10 yards.
On the next Seahawk scoring drive, Luzzi carried the ball five times including a five-yard scamper over the goal line. The biggest play on the drive was a
Thomas Fallon completion to
Spencer Chapman just in front of midfield that Chapman carried to the William Patterson 14-yard line.
Leading 10-3 at intermission, Salve Regina started the second half at their own 36 and Fallon completed passes to
Max Collins (12 yards) and
Thomas Gangi (six yards) before ripping off a 45-yard ground gain to the WP one. Luzzi finished the drive with his second touchdown carry.
The Seahawks had a three-and-out on their next possession before engineering an 11-play, 61-yard scoring drive on their third third-quarter try. Fallon converted a critical 4th-and-6 with a 17-yard completion to
Kyle Crampton. The touchdown was a four-yard toss to Chapman. DiRado made all three PAT kicks as the Seahawks led 24-3 heading into the final quarter.
Marcues Jean-Jacques and
Anthony Macera intercepted passes on back-to-back series from their QB counterparts in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Jennings redeemed his previous pick with a 60-yard touchdown run. Facing 4th-and-5 at their own 36 in the final minute with a two-score lead (24-10), Salve's Fallon intentionally took a safety, rather than risk a blocked punt, for the final margin (24-12).
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 24, Wm. Paterson 12
Records: Salve Regina (3-0, 0-0 NEWMAC), Wm. Paterson (0-2, 0-0 NJAC)
History: Salve Regina evens the all-time series, 1-1. William Paterson scored 22 fourth-quarter points to rally for a 36-32 victory over Salve Regina at Wightman Field, despite three touchdown receptions for Matthew Traynor.
SUMMARY
- 1st | 10:21 | SRU - Nathan DiRado 28 yd field goal 7 plays, 32 yards, TOP 02:30 | SEAHAWKS 3, PIONEERS 0
- 1st | 04:13 | WPU - Matt Davidson 27 yd field goal 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 02:32 | SEAHAWKS 3, PIONEERS 3
- 2nd | 07:59 | SRU - Justan Luzzi 5 yd run (Nathan DiRado kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:04 | SEAHAWKS 10, PIONEERS 3
- 3rd | 12:14 | SRU - Justan Luzzi 1 yd run (Nathan DiRado kick), 6 plays, 64 yards, TOP 02:44 | SEAHAWKS 17, PIONEERS 3
- 3rd | 01:50 | SRU - Spencer Chapman 4 yd pass from Thomas Fallon (Nathan DiRado kick) 11 plays, 61 yards, TOP 05:17 | SEAHAWKS 24, PIONEERS 3
- 4th | 13:07 | WPU - Nigel Jennings 60 yd run (Matt Davidson kick), 3 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:56 | SEAHAWKS 24, PIONEERS 10
- 4th | 00:34 | WPU - Terrill Yankson 0 yd safety | SEAHAWKS 24, PIONEERS 12
NOTEWORTHY
NEXT UP
Salve Regina returns to Toppa Field to open its NEWMAC slate with the
SUNY Maritime College Privateers set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
