Smith College

GLASSBORO, NJ - A fourth-quarter touchdown by Nunes Bukula IV and a game-saving interception by Kam Brown capped off a 17-14 win for #24 Rowan over Kean in NJAC football action. The Profs have won five straight and are now 5-1 and 3-0 in the conference.
 
Trailing 14-9, the Profs put together an eight-play, 52-yard drive, ending in an 11-yard run by Bukula. Rowan then converted the two-point conversion with Bukula pulling in a pass from Nate Maiers, to take the 17-14 lead.
 
Kean's Sal Marchione caught a 47-yard toss from Ty Kline, giving the Cougars life at the Rowan 29. But just two plays later, and with 1:16 remaining, Brown intercepted Kline's pass on the sideline to seal Rowan's fifth victory in a row.
 
Bukula IV ran for 94 yards on 16 carries while Nigel Jennings (47 yards) and Tyshawn Bookman (43 yards) helped Rowan run for over 180 yards in the contest.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Jackson Ferrante made a team-high seven tackles while Giani Derameaux totaled six stops, a sack, and a forced fumble.
 
The Profs scored on the opening possession of the game, going 68 yards in 12 plays, as Frank Marchese teamed up with Maiers for a seven-yard reception. The TD was Marchese's first career scoring grab, however, the extra point was blocked and the Profs had a 6-0 lead.
 
Kean went ahead, 7-6, later in the first quarter on a 20-yard reception by Marchione and the Cougars added to that lead at 5:22 of the third quarter, on a 19-yard catch by Jordan Bartlett.
 
Bukula IV returned a punt 31 yards to the Rowan 41 with 1:32 in the first half. The Profs drove it down to the Cougar 16, but Gavin Wray's 34-yard field goal attempt was no good, keeping the score 7-6.
 
Wray redeemed himself, hitting on a 34-yard field goal in the opening minutes of the final quarter, capping a 13-play drive allowing Rowan to cut the deficit to 14-9.
 
Marchione led Kean with six catches for 105 yards, both game highs. Quarterback Ty Kline threw for 193 yards on 16-of-28 passing with two scores and an interception and added 31 yards on the ground to lead the Cougars.
 
Rowan will host its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 24 when it takes on TCNJ with a 2 p.m. kickoff.