Montclair, NJ - The Montclair State football team returns to a full schedule of games and its begins with the season opener at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institue (RPI).

Montclair kicks off the new season after posting a successful albeit shortened season in the Spring. MSU went 2-1 in its abbreviated schedule and claimed the NJAC North Division championship, it's first conference crown since 2014. The Red Hawks began with a 41-12 win over Kean that included a 93-yard return by ZAHIR WILDER on the opening kickoff. After falling to now-defunct Wesley, Montclair State capped the year with a 28-0 victory over local rival William Paterson to win the division title

Two years ago, Montclair State finished 6-4, winning five its final six contests and was 5-2 in the NJAC. This year, MSU was picked to finish second in the league's Preseason Coaches Poll and was among the teams receiving votes in the D3Football.com Top 25 poll

RPI is back on the field after its 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic. Two years ago, the Engineers finished 6-5 overall, 3-3 in the Liberty League. Rensselaer appeared in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl where it lost to Grove City, 41-38 in the final minute.

This will be the first meeting between the Red Hawks and Engineers, who were slated to open the 2020 campaign. That contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.