Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University football team opens up NJAC play on the road as they travel to take on Kean on Saturday

GAME INFO
The game at Alumni Stadium in Union, NJ is set for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. Live coverage links and additional information on the event can be found at montclairathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair fell on a last-minute field goal and dropped its homecoming matchup against Wilkes, 24-21. Wilkes came out with a bang with a 44-yard return and a 38-yard touchdown pass on the next drive that gave them a 7-0 lead right out of the gate. Montclair's first drive showed promise, highlighted by a 51-yard bomb from LUKE HENRICH to TJ KACHALA. They got down to the Wilkes four-yard line, but were unable to get across the goal line and turned it over on downs. Both teams exchanged punts, Wilkes forced another Montclair punt, where a bad snap and a recovery on it from the Colonials, got them excellent field position at the Montclair 18. Heading into the top of the second quarter, they got down to the goal line and punched it for a 14-0. Montclair had a drive going, but a fumble inside Wilkes' territory halted their best opportunity down the stretch. They held the Colonials off the scoreboard the rest of the half, and the game was 14-0 heading into the intermission. Montclair started with possession in the second half and got itself on the board on the second play of offense when CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD ripped off a 70-yard run for a touchdown and cut the lead to 14-7. After forcing a punt, Montclair established the ground game and put together a methodical 15-play, 78-yard drive that fell just short on a turnover on downs. The Red Hawks went into the fourth quarter with the ball and started it off with a bang when Henrich connected with Kachala on a 75-yard deep shot that tied the score at 14-14. Wilkes answered with a nine-play, 79-yard drive that was capped off with a nine-yard touchdown run and allowed them to take a 21-14 lead. Montclair answered back with a nice drive that was highlighted by a 29-yard run from DIANTE WILSON that tacked on an extra 10 yards with a horse-collar tackle. He capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run that nodded the game back up 21-21. Each team forced the other team to punt, and Wilkes started a drive with 4:06 remaining left in the game. Wilkes burned the time all the way down to 39 seconds and got down to the Montclair eight-yard line, where they kicked the go-ahead field goal to take the 24-21 advantage. The Red Hawks fought the clock and the yardage and were unable to score and fell in their homecoming matchup.
 


2025 TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (1-2)
Passing Yards: LUKE HENRICH, 391
Passing Touchdowns: LUKE HENRICH, 3
Rushing Yards: DIANTE WILSON, 244
Rushing Touchdowns: DIANTE WILSON, 3
Receiving Yards: TJ KACHALA, 134
Receiving Touchdowns: Three tied with 1

Tackles: ALEX BUCHWALD, 34
Tackles for Loss: ALEX BUCHWALD, 7.5
Sacks: Two Tied with 1
Forced Fumbles: Two Tied for 1
Fumble Recoveries: RYAN VISALLI, 1
Interceptions: N/A
Pass Breakups: Two tied with 2


Field Goals Made: Roger Rubenetti, 2
PAT's Made: Roger Rubenetti, 5
Punting Yards Average: Roger Rubenetti, 37.11
 
KEAN (1-2)
Passing Yards: Rocco Pellegrini, 348
Passing Touchdowns: Rocco Pellegrini, 3
Rushing Yards: Aly Marzouk, 109
Rushing Touchdowns: Kevin Mayfield, 1
Receiving Yards: Christian Bujno, 218
Receiving Touchdowns: Three tied with 1

Tackles: Michael Beers, 27
Tackles for Loss: Claude Emmanuel Blagogee, 4.0
Sacks: Two tied with 1.0
Forced Fumbles: Isaiah De Rosa, 1
Fumble Recoveries: Two tied with 1
Interceptions: Two tied with 1
Pass Breakups: Tre Allen, 7

Field Goals Made: Anthony Lopez, 1
PAT's Made: Anthony Lopez, 5
Punting Yards Average: Dondre Dookie, 37.72

SCOUTING KEAN
The Cougars enter the NJAC opener with a mirror 1-2 record to Montclair's after suffering a 38-7 defeat at the hands of Western Connecticut. In 2024, Kean produced a 2-8 overall and a 2-4 NJAC record. According to the 2025 NJAC Preseason poll, the Cougars are projected for a sixth-place finish.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Cougars renew their long-standing conference rivalry for the 51^st time, dating back to 1975. Montclair has the all-time record at 38-12, but Kean has won three of the last four meetings.

LAST MEETING
These two teams met last year on October 12, where Kean escaped with a 16-13 win.
 
NEXT TIME OUT
Montclair State University will host the second annual Breakfast Bowl against Rowan on Saturday, October 12. Kickoff is set for a 1:00 p.m. start.