Montclair, NJ – Senior quarterback Jack Lanham combined for 145 yards of total offense, running for a score and throwing for one as No. 14 Salisbury University built a big halftime lead en route to a 27-7 victory over Montclair State in the NJAC opener for both teams at Sprague Field on Saturday.

In a battle of last spring's NJAC Divisional winners, the Sea Gulls intercepted four passes to improve to 3-1 overall. Hunter Clever had a touchdown catch while Sean Carroll picked off two passes. Joey Bildstein and Marcus Wilson each ran for a score.

Running back ABELLANY MENDEZ ran for a touchdown for Montclair State (1-4, 0-1 NJAC). OMARIE WILMORE totaled 11 tackles with BRENNAN RAY, SEAMUS NELSON and MIKE RAMOS recording eight apiece.

The Sea Gulls scored two plays into the contest. Shamar Gray ran 20 yards on the first snap. Lanham perfectly executed an option-keeper racing 44 yards around the right side for the touchdown giving Salisbury a 7-0 lead after 31 seconds elapsed off the clock.

Montclair responded with 13-play, 68 yard drive down to the Sea Gulls' 10 as JA'QUILL BURCH complete five passes. However, A.J. Butler intercepted Burch's seventh attempt on the drive in the end zone as Salisbury maintained its seven-point lead.

Carroll's first interception later in the first helped Salisbury built its lead. The safety pulled in a tipped ball along the sideline putting the Sea Gulls at their own 33. Lanham hit Cleaver for 14 yards on 3^rd down to keep the drive going and a penalty against MSU pushed the ball to the Red Hawk 19. Bildestein ran twice for 12 yards to end the first and barreled seven more on the first play of the second for a touchdown extending the lead to 13-0 as the extra-point kick was blocked.

MSU would recover a muffed punt and drove to the Salisbury 30, but a fourth-down attempt went incomplete. The Sea Gulls then marched 70 yards in nine plays, capped off by a Wilson three-yard scamper for a 20-0 advantage with 3:23 remaining before halftime.

Lanham and Cleaver would connect twice late in the quarter for Salisbury's final touchdown. They hit for 24 yards down to the MSU 22. After Lanham lost a yard on the next play, he found Cleaver again, 23-yards in the left sideline of the end zone for a touchdown sending the Sea Gulls into the locker room with a 27-0 lead.

Montclair State would get its touchdown in the third off a Sea Gull turnover. DORIAN GASHI recovered a Gray fumble at the MSU 37. Burch converted a 3^rd-and-7 with a 12-yard strike to Matt Spactucci out to the Salisbury 48. Mendez broke off a 24-yard run and two plays later raced 17 yards for the touchdown with 1:24 to go in the quarter.

Mendez finished with five carries for 47 yards and had two receptions. Burch completed 26-of-40 for 216 yards with Cowan hauling in six for 51 yards. CLARENCE WILKINS ad ZACH LEWIS posted four receptions each.

The Red Hawks will look to get back on the winning track next Saturday, October 9 as it hosts The College of New Jersey on Homecoming. Kickoff of the 88^th renewal of the oldest active collegiate football rivalry is set for 6:00 pm.