(BOX SCORE)

BUFFALO, NY—Durell Dukes (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) had 300 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns to help Kean (4-1/3-1) defeat host Buffalo State (0-5/0-4), 45-25, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game today at Coyer Field.

Dukes had nine catches for 146 yards, including touchdown grabs of 10 and 13 yards. He also ran the ball six times for 73 yards and had one kickoff return for 81 yards. Quarterback Tom D'Ambrisi (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) was 15 of 22 for 201 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, and added a rushing touchdown. Jared Chunn (Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Regional) paced the Cougars on the ground with 13 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. Kean gained a total of 528 yards, including 327 on the ground.

Freshman quarterback Kenny Murphy (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was 18 of 42 for 254 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Joe Russell (N. Tonawanda, NY/N. Tonawanda) caught seven passes for a career-high 124 yards and a score. Greg Meyer (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) added seven catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Healy (E. Meadow, NY/E. Meadow) led the Bengals' defense with 10 tackles.

Buffalo State took the early lead on a 2-yard run by E. Todd Hurlbut (Phoenix, NY/Birdlebough) after a Paul Gruber (Levittown, NY/Division Avenue) 59-yard interception return gave the Bengals a drive start deep in Cougar territory.

Kean answered with a pair of first quarter scores, however, connecting on a 19-yard pass from D'Ambrisi to Alex Cade (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), and then finding the endzone on a 1-yard run by Chunn. Both scoring drives were aided by big plays, with Chunn breaking a 44-yard run on the first scoring series, and Chris Aquino (Somerville, NJ/Somerville) broke a 54-yard run on the next drive.

Buffalo State cut the deficit to 14-13 early in the second quarter with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Murphy to Russell that capped a 10-play 79-yard march.

Dukes carried the Cougars on the ensuing drive, busting loose for a 64-yard run, before reeling in a 10-yard touchdown strike from D'Ambrisi to extend the advantage to 21-13.

Buffalo State had an answer again, connecting on a 38-yard pass from Murphy to Russell, and the scoring on a 19-yard run by Sammy Smith (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech). After a failed two-point conversion, the Bengals trailed just 21-19.

Kean opened the margin with a 23-yard field goal by Richard Jaeger (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) on its next possession. After forcing a Bengal punt, the Cougars completed the first-half scoring with a 16-yard run by Derric Harris (Freehold, NJ/Freehold), one play after a 61-yard catch and run by Dukes.

The Cougars pushed the advantage to 38-19 with the only score of the third quarter, coming on a 13-yard pass play from D'Ambrisi to Dukes.

Buffalo State added a fourth-quarter score on a 3-yard catch by Meyer from Murphy, and Kean completed the scoring with a 13-yard quarterback keeper by D'Ambrisi.

Buffalo State will travel to Montclair State next Saturday.