New Rochelle, NY (9/2/06) - Junior cornerback Sal McGrady (West Orange, NJ / West Orange) returned an interception 17 yards for a touchdown and senior DERRICK SIMMONS (Asbury Park, NJ/Monmouth Regional) scooped up a fumble for a 97-yard score as Montclair State took advantage of six turnovers in a 21-7 win over Iona College at a rainy and blustery Mazzella Field on Saturday afternoon.

 Linebacker CORNELL HUNT ( North Brunswick , NJ / North Brunswick ) registered 14 tackles and had an interception return to set up another score as the Red Hawks (1-0) overcame a decided offensive disadvantage in beating the Division I-AA Gaels for the fourth time in seven overall meetings and avenging a 21-14 overtime loss to Iona in last year's season opener.

 Played admits a strong 30-plus mile-an-hour wind and light-steady rainfall, each team battled for field position through the first three possessions before Montclair State scored the first of its points. After Iona took over at its own 22, Dustin Croick's ( Agoura Hills , CA /Agoura) out-pass toward the sideline defelcted off the receiver's hands and into the arms of McGrady who raced down the right sideline for a 7-0 MSU advantage with 4:57 to play in the opening quarter. The Red Hawks would extend the lead in the second quarter thanks in part to another defensive play, this time by Hunt, who picked off a a Croick pass at the MSU 21 and nearly raced the final 79 yards for a score, however, Brian Watts (Niskayuna, NY/Colonie Central) made an all-out hustle play to tackle Hunt at the Iona 2. Two plays later MICHAEL JUMP ( Toms River , NJ/ Toms River South) found fullback Vin Varcadipane ( Totowa , NJ / Passaic Valley ) on a scramble for a four-yard touchdown and a 13-0 Montclair lead.

 The Red Hawks final points of the half came courtsey of the two-point safety. Iona took possession at the MSU 34, but after three plays the Gaels were forced to punt. The snap from center sailed way over the head of punter Chris Lofrese (Middletown, NY/Middletown), who tracked the ball down at the Iona 25 and tried to kick it away, however special teamer BRIAN KAPP (Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst) blocked the attempt and the ball rolled all the way into and out of the end zone for the safety as Montclair State led 15-0 at intermission.

 In the second half, nearly got back into the game as it took the opening kickoff and promptly marched 75 yards in 12 plays down to the Montclair 5. Running back Rudy Arcara ( Harrison , NY /Harrison) accounted for 38 yards on the ground. But on a first-and-goal play, Arcara plowed up the middle into a pile where he was met by SAL FAMA ( Milltown , NJ /Spotswood) , who knocked the ball loose. Simmons pulled the ball out of the pile and sped 97 yards for the longest fumble return (and fumble return for TD) in Montclair State history and a 21-0 lead with 8:37 to go in the third quarter. Simmons surpassed the previous mark of 54 yards set by Greg Porzio against William Paterson in 1999.

 Iona would avert the shutout in the fourth qaurter as Rich Wroblewski ( Oak Ridge , NJ / Jefferson Township ) rumbled in from a yard out on the first play of the period to cap a seven-play, 35-yard drive that was set up by a mishandled punt snap by the Red Hawks. The Gaels then had several opportunities as they began each of their final four drives inside MSU territory, but came away empty each time as Eugene Pinkney ( Fairview , NJ / Cliffside Park ) intercepted a pass to end one possession and Simmons picked off his second in the end zone to thwart another.

 Iona outgained Montclair State , 283-77 in the game as Arcara finished with 63 yards on 16 carries.  EDMOND LONEY ( Lakewood , NJ / Lakewood ) had 15 rushes for 51 yards for Montclair State . Russ Comune ( Pompton Plains , NJ / Pequannock)  collected 11 tackles and a sack for the Red Hawks whil Pinkney added nine tackles. Senior end NICK DEFALCO ( East Brunswick , NJ / Spotswood) recorded two of MSU's four sacks in the game. Croick was 15-of-32 for 177 yards.

 Montclair State is now off on a bye week and returns to action on Saturday, September 16 as they travel to Springfield , MA to meet the Pride of Springfield College in a 1:00 pm matchup.