Ewing, NJ – Montclair State climbed out of an early 14-point deficit with a stifling defense that registered six sacks and picked off three passes in a 21-17 victory over The College of New Jersey at Lions Stadium on Saturday.

Quarterback JOHN APICELLA threw a pair of second-half scores as the Red Hawks (3-2, 3-1 NJAC) captured their second straight contest in capturing the 85^th meeting of the oldest active collegiate football rivalry in the Garden State. MSU is now 53-20-2 all-time against the Lions in the series that began back in 1929.

A wild start to the game as each team picked off passes. MSU's SHAON STEPHENSON intercepted Trevor Osler on the third play of the game at the TCNJ 38. Three plays later Montclair gave it right back with the Lions' Sam Jackson pulling down and Apicella pass in the end zone.

TCNJ turned that into points on the very next play as Osler connected with Thomas Koenig for an 80-yard touchdown giving the hosts at 7-0 lead with 11:59 left. The two hooked up again on the next New Jersey touch, this one a seven-yard toss making the score 14-0 with 8:21 remaining.

Montclair State would halve the lead on the first play of the second quarter as running back WILLIE BARR raced 26 yards for a touchdown making the score 14-7. Playing the field position game late in the half, TCNJ got the ball at the MSU 38 with 35 ticks to go. Osler-to-Koenig for 15 yards helped set up a 40-yard field by Zach Pharo with :08 left allowing TCNJ to head into halftime with a 17-7 advantage.

But the Red Hawks defense tightened up in the second half limiting TCNJ to 110 total yards in offense with two interceptions and zero points on the board.

Meanwhile the Montclair offense got itself into gear with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up the first 6:19 of the third quarter. Apicella kept the drive going with an 11-yard completion to ANTHONY TRAVISANO on third down moving the ball to the TCNJ 44.

Several plays later, Montclair was staring at a 4^th-and 11 from the TCNJ 34 when it decided to go for it. The move paid off as Apicella hit TAJ HUGGINS for 26 yards down to the 8. Apicella then found BRIAN KOWALCZYK from seven yards out bringing MSU within 17-14 with 8:36 left in the third.

MSU would take the lead two possession later taking advantage of a punt that put the ball at midfield. On a 3^rd-and-10 at the Lions' 40, Apicella lofted a short pass to Barr, who raced the rest of the way virtually untouched for the score giving Montclair State its first lead at 21-17 with 2:20 to go in the third.

From there it was the Red Hawk defense coming through with several big plays in the fourth. After short punt gave TCNJ the ball at the MSU 45, the Lions drove to the 21. Osler threw to into the end zone but was picked off by DYLAN ELLIOTT ending the drive.

TCNJ got one final chance to win the game with five minutes left. Osler hit Koening three times for 47 yards down to the MSU 21. A sack pushed the ball back to the 27 and another save moved the ball back further however a penalty against the Red Hawks nullified that play. Osler mishandled the snap on 3^rd-and-13 leaving the Lions with a fourth down at the MSU 28.

Osler threw into the end zone and was picked off again by Elliot which would have sealed the game. But another offside penalty allowed the Lions one more chance. Osler again threw into the end zone but again was picked off, this one by JABARI RAY GARVIN with 86 seconds left.

CHRIS PALMA finished with five tackles and a pair of sacks for MSU while NICK VOLPE had four tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. Garvin registered five tackles. Apicella was 13-of-28 for 182 yards with JULANEE PRINCE pulling in four catches for 45 yards.

Montclair State is back at Sprague Field next Saturday, October 14 for its Homecoming Game against Salisbury University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.