Montclair, NJ – In the 89 years of football at Montclair State, there have been plenty of outstanding seasons producing great victories, incredible individual performances, and championship campaigns. A half-century ago, all three came together in what can be called the greatest season in program history.
In 2020, the Red Hawks will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1970 squad. That dominated throughout the season, finishing the year off with the NCAA Knute Rockne Bowl title that signified Montclair as the best team in the East Region.
The then-Indians posted a 9-1 record that included five shutouts and surrendered a minuscule 51 points while winning by an average score of 25-5. Montclair claimed its second consecutive New Jersey State College Conference (known as the NJAC today) championship, not allowing a point in any of its league contests. Head coach Clary Anderson's team also avenged two of its losses from the previous season.
Montclair State entered 1970 with high expectations following Anderson's first season. The legendary head coach at nearby Montclair High School stepped up to the collegiate level and put together one of the nation's best turnarounds as the Indians went from 2-7 to 8-2, winning the first NJSCC title and placing second in the Eastern Football Conference after several years at the bottom of the that league's standings. Montclair allowed just 88 points in 1969 and was ranked seventh in the NCAA College Division in total defense and eighth in rushing defense.
Adding to the lofty expectations was the return of 25 letterwinners, including 10 from the vaunted defense. On the other side of the ball, tight end Roland Kascher headlined the offensive returners. Kascher was named a Little All-American after setting school records for receptions (32) and yards (444) with five touchdown catches.
"If the Indians retain the fire and drive which increased with each game in 1969, this will be another interesting – and successful – season," said Anderson.
Perhaps at the time, Anderson didn't realize how correct his assessment would be
Montclair opened its season at home knocking off East Stroudsburg 16-6 on September 19 and avenged the first of its two losses from the previous season in a 10-7 win over Delaware State 10-7. Ron Gara found Glen Morchauser from 15 yards out capping an eight-play, 63-yard drive in the fourth quarter. The Indians made it three straight and eight in a row overall dating back to the previous season with the first of its shutout victories, 35-0 at Curry College.
Central Connecticut would snap that streak on October 10 in New Britain as the Blue Devils handed MSC an 18-14 setback. Montclair State would get back on the winning track the next game as the defense registered another shutout in a 21-0 win, this one over the University of Bridgeport at Sprague Field before a crowd of over 6,200.
The Indians offense took center stage the October 24 with a dismantling of Southern Connecticut behind three touchdowns from Tony Valpone. The offense kept rolling the in Montclair State's NJSCC opener, a 47-0 romp over Trenton State (now The College of New Jersey) at home. MSC scored five times in the first half and held the Lions to 92 total yards in the annual meeting of the oldest active collegiate rivlary in the state.
A 21-7 triumph at Jersey City State (now New Jersey City University) put Montclair's record at 7-1 and Anderson's team into the conversation for a berth in the Knute Rockne Bowl on November 28 in Atlantic City. Montclair solidified its case in the season finale rolling past Glassboro State (now Rowan) 45-0 as Morchauser found the end zone three times.
The strong finish combined with an 8-1 ledger indeed landed Montclair State int the Knute Rockne Bowl, the East Regional Championship for NCAA College Division II. The opponent, Hampden-Sydney College out of Virginia, 1969 Rockne Bowl. The Tigers earned that crown edging Bridgeport 28-27.
Hampden Sydney (9-1), like Montclair State, had just one loss, that coming in the season opener, 6-0 to Maryville. After that, the Tigers reeled off nine consecutive wins yielding just 22 points over that span.
With the teams allowing a total of 73 points COMBINED heading into the game, scoring figured to be at a premium and it was. Played inside the Atlantic City Convention Center with a portable grass field, the teams slugged it before a crowd of 2,700. Yards were hard to come by as Montclair held Hampden-Sydney to just 45 yards of offense. Meanwhile, the Indians didn't fare much better but forced five turnovers.
Scoreless through nearly three quarters, a fumble recovery by Bob Jensen gave Montclair the ball at the Hampden-Sydney 49. The Indians drove to the 19 before a Bob Brewster pass was intercepted by Butch Beverly, who stepped in front of Parker Snare for the pick. Beverly tumbled into the end zone but officials ruled him down at the one.
The ruling turned out to be big as Montclair forced a punt from the three and took over at the Hampden-Sydney 27. Valpone busted through for 10 yards on the first play and Brewster hit Roland Kascher for another first down setting up Valpone's two-yard run. Brewster kicked the extra point and Montclair led 7-0 with 14:56 left.
Hampden-Sydney battled back taking advantage of a Montclair turnover at the Indians 16 setting up a one-yard plunge by freshman running back Tracy Powers with 6:23 to go. Hampden-Sydney head coach Stockeley Fulton decided to go for two points, but Alex Kaplanovich spoiled the plan grabbing the "free" ball as it was batted out of the end zone.
Brunelli did the rest as he intercepted two passes by quarterback Ricky Beale in the final five minutes as Montclair State earned the 7-6 victory finishing off a season that will resonate not just 50 years after but for many more years to come.
