Montclair, NJ - Preseason camp is over and the scrimmages are done. It's time to kick off the 2018 season. The 88th campaign of Montclair State football begins on Saturday when the Red Hawks host Salve Regina University at Sprague Field

MSU is coming off a 5-5 campaign in 2017, including a season-ending 27-20 win versus William Paterson. It is the first season-opening home game for the Red Hawks since 2014.

Salve Regina comes into Sprague Field with a game already under its belt. The Seahawks rallied from 14 points down in the second quarter for a 27-21 win at Worcester State. Jake Kelleher threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns, including a 21-yard strike to Danny Hoffman late in third to cut the deficit to 21-20. Ryan Farrell came up with the go-ahead score blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown with 2:12 remaining. Ronnie Martin rushed for 104 yards and Tyler D'Errico recorded 11 tackles.

This is the sixth meeting between Montclair State and Salve Regina with the Red Hawks leading 3-2. The teams traded the first two contests before MSU captured the next two games by identical one-point margins (7-6 in 2013 & 17-16 in 2014). After a two-year hiatus, the series resumed with Salve Regina posting a 26-20 victory in Newport, RI.