Newport News, Va. - AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN rushed for the game-winning touchdown with 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as the Montclair State University upended New Jersey Athletic Conference leader Christopher Newport University 19-14 on Saturday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (5-4, 4-2 NJAC) crossed midfield on both of their full first quarter drives, with the second including a 30-yard pass from AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN to CLARENCE WILKINS. The Captains defense stood strong each time, preventing Montclair from entering the red zone.
• Christopher Newport made a push late in the opening stanza, but SHERROD COOPER broke up a pass over the middle of the field to keep the game scoreless after one. 
• After forcing a three-and-out, Montclair embarked on a 10 play, 60 yard drive, highlighted by a 16-yard touchdown pass from McLaughlin to Wilkins to give the Red Hawks the 7-0 advantage with seven minutes remaining in the half. 
• On the next drive, the Captains responded with a touchdown drive of their own, finding the endzone on a 34-yard pass to cap off a nine play drive that encompassed 84 yards. The two sides would go into the break level at seven.
• Montclair amassed a 20-play, 80-yard drive over the first 11 minutes of the second half that resulted in a nine yard touchdown run from ABELLANY MENDEZ. They did not convert the extra point attempt, making the score 13-7.
• The Red Hawks defense forced the first turnover of the game two and a half minutes into fourth quarter, as JAKE COLON forced a fumble on a third-and-nine that was recovered on the Montclair 45-yard line.
• After forcing a Red Hawks three-and-out, the Captains took the lead for the first time with 5:01 remaining as they found the end zone on a 10 play drive that amassed 91 yards.
• On the ensuing drive, Montclair drove down the field, going 75 yards over four minutes to regain the lead with 44 seconds remaining on a touchdown run from McLauglin. The two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 19-14, a margin the defense would hold the remainder of the game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Montclair concluded NJAC play with a 5-2 record, its highest win total in conference play since the 2019 season.
• McLaughlin finished the day with 227 yards passing to go along with the two total touchdowns. The yardage marked the second-highest total for his career.
• ANTHONY ROIGE amassed 144 receiving yards, which marked a career-high and the most for a Montclair receiver this season.
• Mendez's rushing touchdown was his sixth of the season. The fifth-year senior has reached the end zone in each of his last three games.
• The touchdown for Wilkins was his fifth of the campaign.
• Colon tallied his third forced fumble of the season and was tied for the team lead in tackles for the game with NICHOLAS BURGESS at five.
• Montclair's 20-play drive to open the second half was its longest this season in both plays and time, clocking in at 11:17.

FROM THE FIELD
"We believed that we could win, there was no quit. We showed what we are capable of when we play mistake free." - Head Coach Mike Palazzo.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will return home to conclude the regular season against No. 22 Muhlenberg on Friday, November 10. Kickoff from Sprague Field is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.