Montclair, NJ (9/3/05) - Senior wide receiver Dennis Calacione (New Milford, NJ/New Milford) scored two touchdowns, blocked a key extra point and became the all-time leader in receiving yards in Iona history as the Gaels edged Montclair State, 21-14, in overtime at Sprague Field in the season opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
Calcione had four catches for 95 yards in the game as Iona won its first overtime contest in school history while evening its series with MSU at 3-3. It was also the first road win for Iona at Sprague Field in three tries. The 95 yards gave Calacione 2,390 yards in his career, breaking the mark of 2,318 set by Tom Silo (1991-94).
The Red Hawks won the toss and elected to pay defense in the OT. Iona made the most of the first possession on the very first play as Mike Biehl ( Virginia Beach , VA / Salem ) hit Calacione over the middle for the touchdown putting the Iona up seven with the extra point. Montclair then took possession and
ERIC FERRIOL connected with
SHAUN PERRYMAN for 17 yards down to the Iona 3. MSU then moved to the one, but on 4 th-and-goal, Ferriol was stopped by the interior of the Iona line, giving the Gaels the victory.
Montclair State trailed 14-5 heading into the final period, but scored nine consecutive points. A fourth-down stop by the MSU defense 58 seconds into the final quarter sparked the Red Hawks to a 46-yard drive the helped cut the lead to six points. Vin Doffont made the score, 14-8 with 9:15 to play as he connected on 49-yard field goal, the second longest of his career.
After Iona failed to mount a drive on its ensuing possession, Montclair took over with 5:53 left. From its own 21 yard line, MSU moved to its own 46 and faced 4 th-and-1. Ferriol hit
ROB DOMKE for 11 yards to keep the drive alive and a nine-yard run by
RYAN MCCOACH gave MSU a first down at the Iona 28. After two incomplete passes, Ferriol found senior
BRIAN REITMEYER in the seam for a 28-yard scoring strike, tying the game with 2:47 to play. However, Calacione made sure the game stayed that way as he blocked the extra point attempt.
Iona jumped out to a 7-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game. Calacione pulled in a short pass and broke seven tackles, en route to a 54-yard touchdown. Montclair got back three points as
SAL FAMA intercepted a pass inside Iona territory that would lead to a 30-yard field goal by Doffont with 3:11 to go in the opening period. The Red Hawks then cut the deficit to 7-5 on the next Iona possession as a bad snap on a punt attempt rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
Iona would increase the lead to 14-5 before halftime as a short punt led to a 37-yard drive capped by a one-yard run by Rudy Arcara ( Harrison , NY /Harrison) with 55 seconds before intermission.
Arcara finished with 135 yards on 33 carries. Biehl was 10-of-24 for 147 yards. Adam Lipski (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) led the way for the Iona defense with 12 tackles and 2 ½ sacks while Terence Kehayas (Yonkers, NY/Archbishop Stepanic) added 11 tackles.
Ferriol, who was making his first start at quarterback after moving from wide receiver last year, completed 16-of-31 for 163 yards. Perryman had four receptions for 58 yards.
BILLY DEE WILLIAMS led MSU with 76 rushing yards on 13 carries while McCoach had 15 carries for 69 yards.
BEN BURKLOW had nine tackles as did Fama. Burklow also had a sack and a pass breakup while
DERRICK SIMMONS registered five tackles and three pass breakups.
Montclair State outgained Iona , 330-235, including 258-130 in the second half.
