Montclair, NJ (10/30/04) - Freshman quarterback Jeff Struble rushed from eight yards out and The College of New Jersey defense came up with five turnovers as the Lions topped Montclair State, 10-3, in the 72nd meeting of the oldest active collegiate football rivalry in New Jersey at Sprague Field on Saturday evening.

Steve Andrews intercepted a pair of passes as the Lions (6-1, 4-1 NJAC) won their third straight and defeated the Red Hawks (4-3, 2-3 NJAC) for the first time since in six tries. TCNJ's last win came in a 10-0 blanking of MSU at Sprague Field in 1998.

Playing in a dense fog throughout most of the contest, TCNJ fell behind on the first possession as Montclair State moved to the Lions' 15 yard line before settling for a BILL CHRISTOPHER 33-yard field goal with 12:11 left in opening period.

TCNJ would get even with just under six minutes left in the quarter as Andrews intercepted the first of his two passes at the MSU 33 and returned it 11 yards. After moving to the MSU 7, the Lions also stalled and Blake Abbot booted a 24-yard field goal.

The Red Hawks squandered an opportunity to take back the lead with 1:25 left as it took the ensuing possession and drove to the TCNJ 13 thanks in part to Mike Passero's 10-yard run on third down and a 19-yard rush by EUGENE VICK. On third down Passero was picked off by Miles Shanklin, ending the threat.

The College of New Jersey would capitalize on the third MSU turnover of the half as the Lions recovered a muffed punt and moved 40 yards in five plays. Struble capped off the drive with a bootleg around the left side, diving for the end zone for the touchdown. The Lions would take the 10-3 lead into halftime.

In the second half, each team had its scoring chances, but each time coming up empty. Montclair State drove to the TCNJ 23 midway through the third quarter, but that drive was stalled again and this time Christopher's 40-yard attempt went wide left.

On the Red Hawks' next possession, Passero tried to connect with STEVE ARMSTRONG down the middle of the field, but Andrews running stride for stride, tipped up the pass at the goal line and intercepted it ending another Montclair drive. However, TCNJ could not take advantage as it moved to deep into MSU territory to the 17, but a sack moved the ball back and Abbot's 42-yard try also went wide left.

TCNJ also couldn't take advantage as on the next play, Montclair State turned the ball over at its own 25. But a personal foul penalty following the play pushed the ball back out and three plays later they were forced to punt.

Struble finished 9-of-24 for 136 yards with Gregg Silvestri pulling down four passes (27 yards) out of the backfield. Tony Sorrentino added three for 77. Silvestri led the Lions' ground gainers with 54 yards on 18 carries while Cory Schoonover had nine carries for 46 yards. Maurice Carter had 11 tackles for the Lions.

Vick finished with 71 yards on 16 rushes for MSU, which entered the game with an NJAC-leading plus-12 in turnover margin. Passero was 7-of-22 for 89 yards. ERIC FERRIOL had five catches for 59 yards. MORGAN BURKLOW and DARNELL WEBSTER (one sack) each had 11 tackles for the Red Hawks while Gary Andrewshetesko had two sacks.

TCNJ outgained Montclair State, 227-198.