Glassboro, NJ - Rowan quarterback TONY RACIOPPI threw for 357 yards and seven touchdowns as Rowan University captured the 2001 New Jersey Athletic Conference championships with a 53-21 victory over previously undefeated Montclair State at John Page Field this afternoon.

Rowan (8-1, 5-1), which claimed its 12 NJAC title, receives the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs which begin on Saturday, November 17. Montclair State, which has made the NCAA's in each of the past two seasons, must now wait to see if they receive one of the three at-large bids in the 28-team field.

Montclair State took a 7-6 lead late in the first as ED COLLINS connected with JASON DEVIRGILIO on a 6-yard pass. But the Profs responded with 47 consecutive points, including 33 in the second quarter.

Racioppi hit AL BEVERLY on a 6-yd pass early in the period to give Rowan the lead for good. He then hooked up with SCOTT LIPFORD on three straight scores - 33, 19 and 23 yards to give the Profs 32-7 lead. Beverly then capped off the quarter with his second TD catch of the day, a 12-yard reception to give Rowan a 39-7 lead at the half.

The Profs extended the lead to 53-7 early in the third quarter as GABRIEL SPITALE returned an interception 55 yards and Lipford hauled in a 60 yard pass. The Red Hawks ended the run with 4:09 to play as Collins hit JASPER HANKINS on a 14-yard score. Backup quarterback WILLIAM HARBISON threw a 7-yd TD pass to BRIAN REITMEYER for MSU's final score.

Collin completed 23-of-46 for 268 yards and two TD's as he set the single-season mark for TD receptions with 29, breaking the mark of 27 set by Walter Briggs in 1986. MIKE ORLANDO had six catches for 77 yards in the game.

ADAM CERMINARO led the defense with eight tackles.

Rowan outgained Montclair State, 595-295, including a 238-2 advantage in the rushing department.