Montclair, NJ (11/13/04) -Sophomore quarterback Mike Orihel accounted for all six touchdowns - four passing and two running as Rowan University punctuated its regular-season with a 42-14 victory over Montclair State in New Jersey Athletic Conference action at Sprague Field on Saturday afternoon.

Pat Thompson rushed for 107 yards for the Profs (8-2, 6-0 NJAC), who have won five straight and head to the NCAA Division III Playoffs which get underway next weekend. Rowan will more than likely earn the top seed in the East Region and receive a bye in the first round. Pairings will be announced on Sunday, November 14 with the first round set for Saturday, November 20.

Rowan, which wrapped up the NJAC title last weekend against William Paterson, enters the post-season on a roll having outscored its opponents, 103-20 in last two weeks.
Senior quarterback Mike Passero threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns for Montclair State, which ended their season at 4-4, including a 2-4 mark in the NJAC.

Rowan scored on its first four possessions as it took the opening kickoff and moved 79 yards for a 7-0 lead. Orihel connected with Phil Silva on a 46-yard pass and after 17 rush yards by Thompson, Orihel hit Tyree Jackson for 20 yards to the MSU 1. On the next play Orihel dove in for the score.

Montclair State would answer as SHAWN MURRAY returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to midfield. Two completions by Passero and a pass interference penalty moved the ball to the seven and after a rush, Passero found CHRIS BECKER from four yards out, tying the game with 9:46 left in the opening quarter.

From there it was all Rowan as the Profs scored on their next three possessions. Jackson jumped started the drive with a 33-yard kickoff return and a 20-yard run by Thompson moved the ball to the one. After the Red Hawks held twice on run attempts, Orihel snuck over for his second running TD of the game and a 14-7 lead. On the next possession, after moving from its own 12 to just over midfield, the Profs faced 3-and-16. Orihel flipped a short five-yard shovel pass to Thompson, who then made several cutbacks and raced 48 yards to push the lead to 21-7 just inside the start of the second quarter. Orihel connected with Sakeen Wright from 26-yards out to make the score 28-7 midway through the period before Rowan closed out the half with a 28-yard pass from Orihel to Dustin Katcher with 84 seconds left before halftime.

Montclair State got a touchdown back late in the third period as Passero hit STEVE ARMSTRONG on a 76-yard touchdown pass.

Rowan would then answer as Joe D'Imperio pulled in a three-yard pass from Orihel on the first play of the fourth quarter. It was the 32nd TD pass of the season for Orihel, the NJAC leader in that department.

Orihel, completed 12-of-28 passes for 217 yards with Wright collecting three receptions for 43 yards while Katcher had two for 34 yards. In all, Orihel hit at least one pass to eight different receivers.
Thompson carried 27 times as he surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau. He now has 1,081 yards on the season.

Linebacker Mike McClain had seven tackles and a sack for Rowan, which collected four sacks and forced four turnovers in the contest.

Passero was 19-of-39 for 277 yards in his final collegiate game with 11 completions going to junior ERIC FERRIOL, who finished with 135 yards. Armstrong, one of 13 MSU seniors playing in their final game had three catches for 101 yards as he finished eighth all-time on the MSU career list for receiving yards with 1,573 yards and fourth in TD catches with 18.

Running back EUGENE VICK, another senior had 19 carries for 104 yards as he became the eighth running back in school history to go over the 2,000 mark in a career. Vick finished his two-year MSU career with 2,009 yards. Linebackers SAL FAMA and MORGAN BURKLOW had 13 and 12 tackles, respectively, while senior DARNELL WEBSTER added 10.

Montclair State outgained Rowan, 383-377.