Montclair, NJ (10/18/08) – Running back MATT JIMENEZ rushed for 192 yards with a pair of touchdowns as Montclair State closed out the game with the final 21 points in a 45-28 victory over Buffalo State at Sprague Field on Saturday.

Freshman quarterback TOM FISCHER threw for 220 yards and a season-high four touchdown passes as the Red Hawks (5-1, 4-1 NJAC) bounced back from its first loss of the season last week. JEFF BLISS added 110 yards on the ground.

MSU put the first 17 points on the board. Kicker MARCO CAPOZZOLI connected from 28 yards in the field quarter for a 3-0 lead and Fischer's first TD pass early in the second extended the lead to 10-0. The first-year signal caller found DAN KEEGAN from 23 yards out. JEREMY MERCER hauled in a 14-yard pass with 1:51 to play as the lead grew to 17-0 however the Bengals answered immediately with back-to-back scores. Kenny Murphy connected with Joe Russell both times for 54 and 19 yards, respectively as Buffalo State closed the gap to 17-14 with 24 ticks remaining.

A squib kick gave the Red Hawks the ball at its own 49 yard line and Montclair took full advantage as Fischer found a streaking Keegan for a 51-yard score with four seconds left sending MSU into halftime with a 24-14 advantage.

The big plays continued in the third as Murphy and Greg Meyer combined for a 75-yard touchdown midway through bringing the Bengals within 24-21. Two straight turnovers allowed the Buffalo State to take the lead. A fumble on a punt return gave the Bengals the ball at the MSU 4. It would score two plays later on a Sammy Smith two-yard run making the score 28-24 with 4:14 to play in the third.
Montclair State used a turnover to start its run. GARY KNOEPPEL intercepted a pass at the BSC 41. MSU needed five plays to put the ball in the end zone. Bliss had the key play with an 11-yard run on third down moving the ball to 21. After a 14-yard reception by Papcun, Jimenez rambled in from seven yards out putting the Red Hawks back on top 31-24.

Jimenez made its 10-point advantage with a 37-yard run early in the fourth before Montclair capped its rally with a third consecutive touchdown drive. Taking over at its own 36 with 9:53 left, MSU marched 64 yards in eight plays Fischer found Papcun for nine yards on third down out to the 47. Jimenez went four yards on the next play before ripping off a 45-yard run down the Bengals 4. Fischer and Papcun hooked up for the touchdown down three plays later giving Montclair a 45-28 lead with 5:56 showing.

Fischer was 19-of-29 on the day with Keegan pulling in six of those for 129 yards. Papcun had five catches. CORNELL HUNT and CHRIS MERKLE led the defense with seven tackles apiece with DAN KRAINSKI added six along with an interception.

Montclair racked up 560 yards of offense, including 340 yards on the ground.