TCNJ is hoping to build on strong finish
It was another football season where The College of New Jersey looked to take another step in the process of becoming a complete football team.
Not just in the area of execution on the field, or in wins and losses.
The Lions needed to continue to establish stability in the program, develop a swagger of confidence, a deeper sense of pride, and most of all, trust in the process and in each other.
TCNJ took a positive step in that direction, especially when you consider some of the speed bumps along the way.
The 3-7 mark doesn’t reflect the energy the Lions put forth.
First, this was the youngest team in recent memory with just eight seniors. There were eight freshmen and three sophomores who played significant minutes on both sides of the ball.
There were times they displayed talent and there were times they played like freshmen and sophomores.
“Maturity,” said TCNJ coach Casey Goff of the difference in the Lions from day one to the end of the season. “Kids started to grow up a little mentally. They started to comprehend more, and we were able to get a little more complex with game plans and trust the guys to make better decisions.”
Dave Jachera, a freshman, and Andrew Donoghue, a sophomore, split time at quarterback early and then Jachera began to get more time giving the Lions a two-pronged attack as a runner and a passer.
Jachera’s efforts were rewarded being named as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He led the team in rushing with 412 yards and passed for 786 yards. He scored two touchdowns on the ground and passed for six more.
Donoghue passed for five touchdowns and gives the Lions two quality guys moving forward.
Florence’s Mark Pacini, a freshman, was the top running back with 410 yards a game. Jack Clevenger with 39 catches was Jachera’s favorite target.
The biggest problem was TCNJ gave up a league worst 260 yards in sacks, that was 42 more than Kean, which was ninth in the category and 170 more than the league’s best, Montclair State with 90.
One of the pitfalls the Lions faced was an horrific schedule.
After the rough 0-6 start, they went 3-1 the last four games. Four games that were tragically interrupted with the passing of assistant coach Donny Klein.
The grueling stretch of Frostburg to Montclair State saw the Lions outscored, 175-14.
TCNJ gave up 20 touchdowns through the air and nearly 200 passing yards a game.
Making no excuse, Goff also realizes the entire coaching staff plays a role in the outcome.
“We have a long way to go as a staff,” said Goff. “The deficiencies we have are also a reflection on us. We have a good staff and we have to keep working our butts off to make sure we are putting our kids in the best possible position and that we have them prepared. We are going to be making some changes in those areas.”