After Rowan’s first game of the season was called a tie at 17-17 on Sept. 6 due to rain, there was controversy over the decision. Just one week later, those feelings can be put to rest as Rowan stays, technically, unbeaten and took out their anger on Moravian with a 56-0 win.

In an all-around effort offensively, one player stood out. Rookie running back Mordecai Ford rushed for 100 yards to go with one touchdown. He also caught two passes for 21 yards, with the longest reception being 16 yards.

His efforts won him his first career collegiate award: New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Offensive Rookie of the Week. It was a breakout game for the freshman after he had only one rush in week one against Case Western Reserve University for five yards.

Entering the season, Rowan already had a two-headed dragon at running back with Tyshawn Bookman and Nunes Bukula IV. Last year, that tandem rushed for a combined 920 yards and nine touchdowns in 235 attempts. That averages nearly four yards a carry for the whole season. The duo also had 441 receiving yards and one touchdown with 36 receptions combined.

Now in 2025, they have a three-headed dragon with Bukula IV, Bookman, and Ford. Already this season, they have combined for 275 yards in 46 attempts, which comes out to a whopping six yards per carry. The Profs certainly have something nice brewing in the run game and it compliments the passing game very nicely.

In the game against Moravian, Nate Maiers was excellent, throwing for 239 yards and four touchdowns with an 81% completion rate. Receiver Michael Zarfati caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

The example of weapons on this Profs offense feels never-ending. Rowan has a chance to take that next step this season and finally exorcise their demons in the NJAC. They also have all the tools to make a statement against two teams specifically: Christopher Newport and Salisbury.

Rowan hasn’t beat the Captains since 2019 and the Sea Gulls since 2016. For three straight years, Rowan has finished in third place in the NJAC behind those two teams in some order. Rowan came close to defeating the Sea Gulls last year in a 42-35 shootout on the road.

This year Rowan, hosts both teams in what sets them up pretty well in year two of a coach Pat Ruley regime. If the Profs were to finally break through, it’ll be with the abundance of weapons at their disposal in crucial conference matchups, right here in the borough, come October 2025.

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