Wayne, NJ (10/15/05) - Sophomore running back RYAN MCCOACH rushed for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown and junior kicker Vin Doffont booted a personal-best four field goals as Montclair State took a 23-0 lead and held off backyard and New Jersey Athletic Conference rival William Paterson, 26-16, before 2,725 at Wightman Stadium on Saturday.

The Red Hawks (3-3, 2-1 NJAC) won their 12th straight against the Pioneers (2-4, 0-4 NJAC) and improved their series lead to 31-2-1, but not before William Paterson pulled within 26-16 with 6:11 remaining on a 30-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Sean Ryan to rookie receiver Patrick Cobourne. However, the Pioneers could not convert the ensuing two-point conversion and were kept in check the rest of the way.

Ryan finished 20-for-40 for 308 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, and became the first William Paterson passer to throw for over 300 yards since Rob Warchol threw for 398 in a 49-42 victory over SUNY Cortland on Oct. 20, 2001. Cobourne caught eight passes for 185 yards, both career highs. Overall, the Pioneers owned a 366-337 edge on yardage, although Montclair rushed for 188 yards on 47 attempts, with McCoach accounting for 30 of them.

However, Montclair State dominated the early going after both teams went three and out on their respective first possessions. The Red Hawks got on the board 5:04 into the action when senior quarterback ERIC FERRIOL clicked with junior wideout Shawn Perryman on a 10-yard touchdown pass, Perryman's first career touchdown. After another Pioneer three and out, McCoach took a handoff and sprinted down the left sideline to make it 14-0, MSU, with 8:20 left in the first quarter.

William Paterson was in position to pull within 14-7 late in the first after going three and out on its first three possessions. The Pioneers drove to the MSU 9 when Ryan hit senior Mike Yackanin over the middle. However, TROY BISHOP drilled Yackanin to jar the ball loose, which was recovered by the senior safety at the 2.

Doffont took care of the rest of the Red Hawks' offense in the first half, booting field ogals of 41, 37 and 32 yards in the second quarter to help Montclair take a 23-0 lead into the locker room.

An interception of Ferriol by William Paterson junior linebacker Shadee Davis set the Pioneers up at Red Hawk 9. It took six plays, with the Pioneers getting an extra life thanks to a personal foul call, but senior tailback Prince Breeden crossed the plane from the 1 to make it 23-7 with 6:03 left in the third.

Doffont kicked a 37-yard field goal with :28 left in the third to make it 26-7, but Pioneer junior kicker Damian Shaddow booted a 27-yarder on his team's next drive to cut the deficit to 26-10.

For Montclair State, Ferriol was 10-for-21 for 149 yards, a TD and an interception. Defensively for the Red Hawks, senior linebacker MORGAN BURKLOW and senior defensive lineman Derrell Sapp each had 2.0 sacks. McGrady and sophomore linebacker SAL FAMA each had a team-high eight tackles, with Fama also recording one of the Red Hawks' season-high five sacks. Senior linebacker FRED DEFINIS picked off a pass for MSU.

Defensively for William Paterson, senior Kyle Miller led the way with a career-best nine stops, while senior defensive backs Dan Casasnovas and Andy Howell each made eight stops Davis had six tackles and 2.0 sacks.