Glassboro, NJ – The Montclair State University football team was edged 16-10 in overtime by Rowan in the first annual Breakfast Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (3-5, 1-4 NJAC) were locked in a defensive battle with the Profs in a first half that began with three consecutive three-and-outs. On their second drive of the afternoon, Rowan embarked on an 11-play, 42-yard drive spanning over five minutes that ended in a missed 41-yard field goal attempt.
• Montclair answered with a four minute drive of their own, highlighted by strong runs from HENRY LEWIS and AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN, along with a pass interference call. Rowan was able to force a turnover on downs at their own 40 to regain possession. The next eight combined drives resulted in punts, and Rowan was able to come away with an interception with 47 seconds remaining in the half.
• The Profs, who took over possession at the Montclair 26 yard line, could not take advantage of their field position, as the Red Hawks defense forced a turnover on downs to end the half with a pass breakup from RYAN VISALLI. Rowan came out of the break with a nine play drive that spanned five minutes and 51 yards, capped off by a one-yard touchdown run for the game's first points.
• Montclair responded with a 16-play drive on the ensuing kickoff, headlined by the combination of McLaughlin and ANTHONY ROIGE, who connected on two throws, with two carries from Lewis sandwiched between them. Later in the sequence, McLaughlin completed a short pass to the left side to JAMIE HAMILTON, who gained 23 yards on third down and 14 to advance the ball to the Rowan 26. McLaughlin found VINCENT PINTO on a third and five to notch the team's fourth third down conversion of the drive. The Profs were able to prevent Montclair from scoring on a blocked field goal.
• After Rowan missed another field goal with 8:46 remaining in the contest, the Red Hawks moved the ball quickly down the field. McLaughlin connected with Roige for seven yards, and a horse collar tackle pushed the ball an extra 15 yards. McLaughlin then recorded a rush of 21 yards, and found Roige again later in the drive for a nine-yard touchdown to level the contest with 5:46 on the clock.
• The home side took the ensuing drive 75 yards on 13 plays to reclaim the lead with a 19-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining. After DONOVAN SWASEY returned a kickoff 32 yards, McLaughlin put together back-to-back rushes to set up GREG CASIMIR, who converted a 49-yard field goal with two seconds left to force overtime.
• The Profs came away with an interception on the first drive of overtime, but missed a potential game-winning field goal from 30 yards out to keep the contest going. On their next drive, Rowan regained the lead on a five-yard touchdown pass. Montclair was able to advance the ball to the Rowan 13 during the next possession on a roughing the passer penalty, and Lewis rushed up the middle for six yards to place the ball at the seven. The Profs later forced a turnover on downs to end the contest.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Lewis finished with 58 rushing yards on the day, with Roige leading the way with nine catches for 41 yards. 
• NICHOLAS BURGESS led Montclair defensively with 14 tackles, and ERIC COWAN tallied 10 along with 3.5 tackles for loss and a career-high three sacks for 19 yards.
• Casimir has converted a field goal of 40 or more yards in three games this season.

FROM THE FIELD

"Congratulations to Rowan for winning the first-ever Breakfast Bowl. Unfortunately we didn't come away with the victory today, but it was a great competitive day and even better cause. We're looking forward to continuing the rivalry and new tradition in the future." - Head Coach Mike Palazzo

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will return home to face Christopher Newport on Senior Day on Saturday, November 9. Kickoff from Sprague Field is scheduled for 1:00 PM.