Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University football team will play their final home game of the season and honor their 41 seniors before they duel with Christopher Newport on Saturday.

GAME INFO
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm kickoff Sprague Field. Live coverage links and additional information on the event can be found at montclairathletics.com.

LAST TIME OUT
The Red Hawks 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.

TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (3-5, 1-4 NJAC)
Passing Yards: Aidan McLaughin, 1,373
Passing Touchdowns: Aidan McLaughin, 7
Rushing Yards: CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD, 332
Rushing Touchdowns: Aidan McLaughin, 4
Receiving Yards: ANTHONY ROIGE, 406
Receiving Touchdowns: ANTHONY ROIGE, 3
Tackles: NICHOLAS BURGESS, 83
Tackles for Loss: ARNOLD YOUNG, 15.0
Sacks: ARNOLD YOUNG, 8.0
Forced Fumbles: Five Tied at 1
Fumble Recoveries: Four Tied at 1
Interceptions: RYAN VISALLI, 2
Pass Breakups: JALIL TERRELL, 12


Field Goals Made: GREG CASIMIR, 10
PAT's Made: ROGER RUBINETTI, 7
Punting Yards Average: MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, 36.45
 
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (5-3, 3-1 NJAC)
Passing Yards: Connor Barry, 1,569
Passing Touchdowns: Connor Barry, 13
Rushing Yards: Gunner White, 352
Rushing Touchdowns: Gunner White, 352
Receiving Yards: Colin Hart, 634
Receiving Touchdowns: Colin Hart, 8
Tackles: Noah Martin, 66
Tackles for Loss: Pat Sullivan, 8.5
Sacks: Jordan Cokely, 3.5
Forced Fumbles: Pat Sullivan, 4
Fumble Recoveries: Five Tied for 1
Interceptions: Two Tied for 2
Pass Breakups: Yasir Geter, 4
Field Goals Made: Maxx Lawton, 6
PAT's Made: Maxx Lawton, 29
Punting Yards Average: Baylor Gallagher, 37.13

SCOUTING CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT
The Captains enter this game with a 5-3 record and a 3-1 NJAC record after downing William Paterson, 45-7 on the road this past Saturday. In 2023, CNU were crowned the NJAC Champions after a 7-4 season and a 5-1 conference record. They earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, but were edged 28-20 in the first round against Randolph Macon, 28-20. According to the NJAC Preseason Poll released before the season, they were predicted to repeat as NJAC Champion.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Captains will square off for the 9^th time in their series against each other. The series is currently deadlocked at 4-4 heading into Saturday.

LAST MEETING
Last season, Montclair was victorious in their road trip down to Christopher Newport, edging the Captains, 19-14 on November 4, 2023.  

UP NEXT
Montclair State will play their final game of the season on the road at non-conference Muhlenberg on Saturday, November 16. Kickoff for that game is 1:00pm.