Atlantic City, NJ – Record-setting performance by seniors TONY VALPONE and JOHN BRUNELLI squeezed Montclair State past Hampden-Sydney, 7-6 yesterday in the second annual Knute Rockne Bowl at Atlantic City.

The two defense-oriented, ball control teams slugged it out before only 2,700 fans inside the 12,500-seat Convention Hall as the New Jersey school won its first bowl appearance, an NCAA college division affair.

Valpone, who scored Montclair State's TD, gained 48 yards in 18 carries as the Indians boosted their final season record to 9-1, the best in the school's history. The power-running fullback needed only 36 yards to break the 1965 record of 915 yards by Rich Higgins.

Brunelli, a 5-9 senior from Palisades Park, had an even more brilliant afternoon, snagging three interceptions to raise his season total to 10.

More important, it was Brunelli, who helped tip Hampden-Sydney's extra point try into the air. ALEX KAPLANOVICH then won a wrestling match with two Virginians for the vital interception and the Montclair State defense took it from there.

Hampden-Sydney, which had only given up 28 points in winning its last nine after an opening loss, didn't make many mistakes on defense but five turnovers on offense meant the ball game.

"Defense did it all year…," Montclair State head coach Clary Anderson said (his team allowed 45 points in its first eight games) and he didn't even have to finish the sentence.

With middle linebacker PETE CONTALDI and defensive end MIKE VAN ZILE leading the way, the Indians were their usual stingy selves, especially in the second half when the visitors from Virginia gained only 45 yards in total offense. As expected, it was a defensive struggle all the way with neither team able to control the ball on the ground.

"We kind of lucked out, but you get more luck when you play good defense. They really hit hard too," Anderson added, "and breaks were the difference."

A fumble recovery by linebacker BOB JENSEN of Union City gave Montclair State the ball on the Hampden Sydney 49 late in the third quarter and BOB BREWSTER led the Indians' to the 19 before Butch Beverly intercepted on on the one yard line after six plays.

Beverly, who stepped in front of PARKER SNARE, waiting for the ball in the end zone, tumbled backward but the officials ruled that he had caught the ball at the one.

It turned out to be a very crucial point because the Indians' forced Hampden Sydney to punt from its three, taking over with only 27 yards to go for the TD.

Valpone blasted for 10 yards on first down and ROLAND KASCHER caught a Brewster pass in a crowd for another first down at the end to set up Valpone's scoring dive.

The 6-0, 211-pound fullback from Somerset tumbled over behind a block by right tackle JEFF SCHEETZ of Clifton and then Brewster booted the all-important extra point after only four seconds of the fourth period.

Hampden-Sydney showed it could take advantage of a break when it came back eight minutes later to drive for a touchdown, following a fumble by Valpone at the Montclair 16.

Tracy Powers accounted for 13 of the yards from there, including the last one for the TD, bouncing along the goal line and falling just in with 6:23 left in the game.

Coach Stokeley Fulton elected to go for two points to try and pull out the victory but Kaplanovich spoiled the plan by grabbing a "free" football as it was batted around in the end zone.

Brunelli, who was one of three players in the crowd just inside the goal line out of which the ball was knocked high into the air, came up with two interceptions in the final five minutes to cap a spectacular effort.

The deepest penetration on the first half was made by the visitors from Virginia, who turned briefly to the forward pass and went 49 yards in nine plays.

Quarterback Ricky Beale threw for 25 yards on two completions and the Tigers picked up another 12 yards on pass interference before Montclair State's Brunelli brought things to a half on the 12 yard line.

Brunelli actually stole the football from Dave Shelor, who had been flipped into the air on a hard tackle by LONNIE MONCELSI.

The closes the Indians came in a speedy first half that took only 50 minutes (due to lack of passing) was the Tigers' 19.

Montclair State was forced to punt after its first series and John Daly recovered a fumble by Bobby Long at the visitor's 25.

Valpone struggled up the middle twice for six yards by Glen Morchauser was belted for no gain by H&S middle. Brewster attempted a field goal from the 26. The kick was true but faded quickly and sailed under the cross bar and onto the stage of Convention Hall.

After Van Zile had pushed the Tigers all the way back to their own two yard line with a perfect coffin corner kick of 33 yards, Hampden Sydney marched 68 yards for a field goal try late in the first half.

Powers, the Tigers' freshman fullback who carried 56 times for 202 yards a week ago, pounded away for 18 yards in five carries and added 12 more on a screen pass.

Paul Page tried a 47-yarder after Contaldi had broken up a desperation third down pass but it was very short as the first half ended in a stalemate.

 

Score by Period
Montclair State	0	0	0	7
Hampden-Sydney	0	0	0	6
MSC – Valpone 2-yd run (Brewster kick) HSC - Powers 1-yd run (pass failed)
		MSC		HS
First Downs		9		9
Rushing		109		94
Passing		76		71
Passes		10-16-1		7-18-3
Punts		10-35.9		9-43.1
Fumbles Lost		2		2
Penalties-Yards		6-48		0-0