Montclair, NJ - Costly turnovers and missed opportunities were too much to a late rally to overcome as Montclair State fell to Christopher Newport University in its home opener at Sprague Field on Saturday, 16-8.

The Red Hawks turned the ball over six times as they fell to 1-2 on the season, 1-1 in the NJAC. Junior JOHN APICELLA came off the bench to throw for 132 yards and a touchdown for Montclair. Linebacker MAURO ALTAMURA led the way with 12 tackles while NICK CATALANO and VINCENT CORDASCO also hit double digits with 10 apiece. Senior NICK VOLPE totales seven, including 3.5 for losses, a sack, forced fumble and pass break up.

After a sluggish start by both teams in the opening quarter, the Captains (3-1, 2-1 NJAC) managed to put the first points on the board with a 10-play, 60 yard drive. Quarterback K.J. Kearney went 5-for-6 on the possession, the final completion a 20-yard catch-and-run by Jordan McIntyre giving CNU at 6-0 lead with 3:26 to play before halftime. The Captains failed to convert the two-point conversion attempt.

Montclair State, which had been held in check offensively until its final drive of the half, ran off 14 plays and march 50 yards. Quarterback RYAN ADZIMA found JULANEE PRINCE for 13 yards on a 3rd-and-10 with Adzima scampering nine yards to convert another third down. The Red Hawks were in solid field goal range when it faced a 3rd-and-10 from the Captains' 19. Adzima was flushed from the pocket and rolled to his right before throwing a ball into the end zone that was intercepted at Tyrell Noel ending Montclair's best possession of the half.

Trailing 6-0, Montclair's offense was jump-started in the second half. WILLIE BARR ran for five yards and then ripped off a 31-yard run that moved the ball to the CNU 28. ANTHONY TRAVISANO followed with a 13-yard run and seven-yard rush pushing the ball to the Christopher Newport 8. But a sack by Chris Coggins forced a fourth down and things got even worse for MSU as the field goal attempt snap was mishandled keeping the score at a touchdown margin.

Taking the ball over at their own 11, CNU went backwards in its first two plays, but took a giant leap forward on third down. Kearney connected with Austin Hall for a 31-yard  gain out to the 38 and Captains were on their way to a nine-play, 89-yard drive that ended with McIntyre running in from six yards out making the score 13-0 with 3:43 to pla y in the third.

A turnover helped set up CNU's next score. Jamal Spence forced and recovered a fumble which would lead to a 30-yard field goal by Ben Garbarini with 10:58 to play in the fourth making the score 16-0.

Montclair State would come to life with 4:37 to go in the game after taking over at its own 4. Barr ran 13 yards out to the MSU 20 and Apicella scrambled for 11 yards on a 3rd-and-4 bringing the ball to the MSU 37. Two plays later, Apicella connected with KASON CAMPBELL on a 63-yard touchdown toss and then hit JAMES BARTLESON for the two-point conversion getting MSU within 16-8 with 2:51 left.

The Red Hawks then got one last chance getting the ball back with 56 seconds at its own 20. Apicella hit Prince for 18 yards on the first play, but that would be as far as MSU would go. Four plays later, Brennan Gary, the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week, picked off a pass with 18 seconds left sealing the win for the Captains.

Apicella was 8-of-18 with Prince finishing with six catches for 70 yards. Barr had 57 yards on six carries for MSU, which was outgained in the game 276-261.

Montclair will look to get back on track next Saturday, September 30 when its hosts Kean University in another NJAC matchup beginning at 1:00 pm.