Newport News, VA – Quarterback K.J. Kearney connected with Taylor Loudan from 18 yards out in the second overtime as Christopher Newport rallied past Montclair State 28-21 on Saturday at POMOCO Stadium.

Kearney threw three touchdown passes as the Captains (5-1, 4-1 NJAC) scored with 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter to force overtime. CNU gained a small measure of revenge against the Red Hawks in the second meeting between the teams.

Last year, Montclair scored 25 unanswered in the second half in a 32-22 victory at Sprague Field.

Running back JOHN DISTEFANO rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns for the Red Hawks (3-3, 2-3 NJAC), who have alternated wins and losses through the first six games.

Kearney engineered a 10-play, 55-yard drive to tie the game in the closing minute. The Captains were down to their last chance at the MSU 16 when the signal caller lobbed a ball into the end zone on fourth down. The Red Hawks appeared to have it covered however a flag was thrown for pass interference giving CNU new life. Two plays later, Kearny hit Joshua Davis for the tying score.

In the OT, Montclair took first possession and stalled. The Red Hawks tried a 44-yard field goal however that fell short. The Captains also short-circuited on its possession and tried a 41-yard field goal attempt for the win. But DiStefano, playing on special teams, raced around the right end and blocked the kick sending the contest into another overtime session.

Christopher Newport took advantage of its next touch of the ball with Kearney completing two passes, the second to Loudan from 18 yards out as CNU took a 28-21 lead. The Red Hawks got the ball but couldn't do much as a sack on the first play followed by three incompletions ended the game.

The teams played a back-and-forth opening quarter. CNU drove 93 yards on its first possession and grabbed a 7-0 lead with 9:14 to go on a Kyree Burton 24-yard run. MSU answered back with a 58-yard drive all on the legs of DiStefano, who raced in from 15 yards out tying the game with 6:45 remaining.

Montclair took the lead early in the second as RYAN ADZIMA found JULANEE PRINCE for a 50-yard touchdown toss and a 14-7 lead. The Captains countered with a Kearney to Loudan 8-yard TD strike knotting the game at 14-14 with 10:56 to go before half.

A 57-yard kickoff return from ANTHONY TRAVISANO set up MSU's next score which was capped on DiStefano's 3-yard run with 9:33 left.

MICHAEL STRADFORD and JABARI GARVIN finished with 11 and 10 tackles respectively for MSU. NICK CATALANO (8 tackles) and JOE FALATO (6 tackles) each had 1.5 sacks with JAKE WEBER and VINCENT CORDASCO getting one apiece for Montclair which had five in the game.

Montclair State returns home for its annual Homecoming Game on Saturday, October 22 against The College of New Jersey. Kickoff of the latest installment in the oldest active collegiate football rivalry in New Jersey is set for 3:00 pm.