Box Score (BOX SCORE)

UNION, N.J.—No. 10 Kean (5-0/4-0) scored 17 unanswered fourth-quarter points to erase a 10-point deficit and defeat visiting Buffalo State (2-4/2-3), 34-27 in an NJAC game today at Kean Alumni Stadium.

Buffalo State outscored Kean 20-7 in the third quarter to take a 27-17 lead into the final frame, but the Cougars roared back with 17 points in the final 8:13, including scoring the game-winning touchdown on an 18-yard run by Chris Dimicco with 2:27 remaining.

DiMicco had a pair of rushing touchdowns, and finished the day with 96 yards on 20 carries.  Tom D'Ambrisi was 21 of 43 for 191 yards and two touchdowns.  T.J. Denehy was Kean's leading receiver with eight catches for 105 yards.  Bekim Bujari led the Cougars' defense with 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. 

Caesarae Lewis (Newbern, AL/Sunshine) found the end zone three times for Buffalo State, including an 83-yard kick return.  He also had six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.  Casey Kacz (Amherst/Sweet Home) was 17 of 30 for 187 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. 

DiMicco opened the scoring just 1:08 into the game with a 3-yard run, but Lewis evened the score late in the opening quarter with an acrobatic 23-yard reception.

Billy Daniels booted a 24-yard field goal late in the second quarter to put Kean ahead 10-7 heading into the intermission. 

That lead did not last long, however, as Lewis fielded the opening kickoff of the second half and sprinted 83 yards to give the Bengals their first lead of the game at 14-10. 

Kean reclaimed the lead on its first drive in the second half, scoring on a 10-yard pass from D'Ambrisi to Scott Davis.  Buffalo State bounced back on top on its next touch on a 31-yard strike from Kacz to Lewis. 

Buffalo State extended its lead to 27-17, following a long missed field goal try by Kean, when Ismail Brooks (Auburn/Auburn) scored on a 4-yard run with 2:23 left in the third quarter. 

Kean took over in the final period, however, pulling within three points on a 5-yard pass from D'Ambrisi to Danny Mendoza with 8:13 remaining.  Following a three-and-out by the Bengals, Kean was able to even the score with a 44-yard field goal by Daniels with 4:18 left on the clock. 

Buffalo State then turned the ball over on the next series on a Kacz interception on a third-and-1 play, and Kean took over on the Bengals' 21.  DiMicco scored just two plays later to give the Cougars their first lead since early in the third quarter. 

The Bengals picked up one first down on the ensuing possession, but then turned the ball over on downs before Kean ran out the clock for the win.

Buffalo State will return home to take on The College of New Jersey next Saturday at noon.