Montclair, NJ - The MSU Defense flexed its muscles to propel Montclair State to a 24-0 win over Christopher Newport on Homecoming. The win was the 250th in the career for Head Coach Rick Giancola. Giancola is the 29th head coach in NCAA history to record 250 wins in his career.

The Red Hawks (3-3, 2-1 NJAC) forced five turnovers in the win and limited the Captains to only five first downs and 135 yards of total offense. 

JA'QUILL BURCH finished 13-for-21 while recording a pair of touchdown passes in the win. KASON CAMPBELL made his two catches count, amassing 71 yards and tallying a touchdown grab.

ABELLANY MENDEZ led the Red Hawk rushing attack that registered 205 yards on 38 carries. Mendez finished with 95-yards on six attempts. 

Following a scoreless first quarter, Burch connected with Campbell on the first play of the second quarter for a 54-yard touchdown strike to give the Red Hawks a 7-0 lead.

After a CNU 3-and-out, Montclair responded with three more points, as Anthony Marinel converted on a 32-yard field goal.

Christopher-Newport tried to get some points before the half but was stopped by the Red Hawks. ZACK ZACCONE intercepted the Captains pass to make sure they didn't take advantage of good field position.

The Red Hawks took a deep-shot to start the second half, but Burch's pass was intercepted following a defelction, putting the Captains in Red Hawk territory for its first drive.

MSU got the ball right back as Rodney DiPrenda forced and recovered a fumble by Nehemiah Harris.

Montclair orchestrated a 10-play 77-yard touchdown drive to take control of the contest.  Burch capped off the drive with a five-yard pass complete to ZACH SKRIVANIC.

ZAHIR WILDER forced a turnover on the next play for the Captains, intercepting a pass to set the Red Hawks around midfield.

MSU would lead 17-0 at the end of the third when the Red Hawks would force another turnover to start the quarter. Jack Anderson pass was intercepted by BRENNAN RAY to end the Captains drive in MSU territory.

This time, Montclair would cash in on the turnover as ANGELO GOLINO came in relief of Burch and ran in a 16-yard score.

MSU would run out the clock and hold on for the 24-0 victory. The Red Hawks last shutout a team in last year's final game, upending William Paterson 24-0 to end 2018.

SEAMUS NELSON led the Red Hawk defense with nine tackles and added an interception in the first half. Ray had seven tackles to go along with his takeaway.

MSU travels to Dover, DE to face Wesley next Saturday at 1 p.m