Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University football team heads down south to Virginia for a tough test against nationally-ranked #13/#14 Christopher Newport on Saturday.

GAME INFO
Kickoff from TowneBank Stadium 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 went up north to take on Vermont State Castleton and powered through the Spartans by a score of 48-20. The Red Hawks came out strong on the opening drive. ALEX RODRIGUEZ returned the kickoff to the Montclair 42-yard line, and CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD immediately broke loose for a 20-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. Later in the drive, TJ KACHALA hauled in a 30-yard catch-and-run to set up the Red Hawks inside the 10-yard line, where DIANTE WILSON punched in a four-yard touchdown to open the scoring. After forcing a three-and-out, Montclair capitalized with a seven-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Kachala highlighted the possession with two receptions for 33 yards, including an 11-yard catch-and-run into the end zone that made it 14-0. Castleton responded with a nine-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-10 to trim the deficit to 14-7. The Red Hawks threatened again early in the second quarter but came up short on a fake field-goal attempt that was stopped a yard shy of the first-down marker at the Castleton 10. Following a series of punts, Montclair took advantage of a special-teams miscue. A Castleton player touched a bouncing punt inside the 5, which was recovered by JAHMIR BEAL to set up Wilson's second touchdown of the day. After a failed two-point conversion, Montclair led 20-7. On the next drive, Beal forced another fumble that was recovered by Jayden Brimage at the Spartans' 28. Arnold capped the short field with a one-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 27-7. With under two minutes remaining in the half, a Red Hawk fumble deep in their own territory set up a Castleton touchdown pass, cutting the margin to 27-13. Montclair fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but the defense held firm to preserve the 27-13 halftime lead. Montclair opened the second half with a defensive stop and another methodical scoring drive. Quarterback LUKE HENRICH capped it off with a short touchdown run, pushing the lead to 34-13. A defensive stand on fourth-and-five from the Castleton 49 set up another scoring drive for the Red Hawks. Four plays later, Arnold found the end zone from 12 yards out to make it 41-13. ISAIAH GURLEY recorded Montclair's first interception of the season, setting up a touchdown drive that Wilson finished off with his third rushing score early in the fourth quarter. Castleton added one final touchdown with 6:06 remaining on a nine-yard pass, but the Red Hawks closed out the game for a convincing 48-20 victory.
 

2025 TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (3-4, 2-2 NJAC)
Passing Yards: LUKE HENRICH, 1,335
Passing Touchdowns: LUKE HENRICH, 8
Rushing Yards: DIANTE WILSON, 567
Rushing Touchdowns: DIANTE WILSON, 11
Receiving Yards: TJ KACHALA, 606
Receiving Touchdowns: TJ KACHALA, 5

Tackles: ALEX BUCHWALD, 56
Tackles for Loss: ALEX BUCHWALD, 10.5
Sacks: ALEX BUCHWALD, 2.0
Forced Fumbles: Two Tied with 2
Fumble Recoveries: JAHMIR BEAL, 2
Interceptions: ISAIAH GURLEY, 1
Pass Breakups: ALEX BUCHWALD,

Field Goals Made: Roger Rubenetti, 4
PAT's Made: Roger Rubenetti, 20
Punting Yards Average: Roger Rubenetti, 36.00
 
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (7-0, 4-0 NJAC)
Passing Yards: Connor Barry, 2,054
Passing Touchdowns: Connor Barry, 26
Rushing Yards: Gunner White, 364
Rushing Touchdowns: Gunner White, 8
Receiving Yards: Colin Hart, 881
Receiving Touchdowns: Colin Hart, 9

Tackles: Noah Martin, 37
Tackles for Loss: Connor Estrella, 11.5
Sacks: Connor Estrella, 7.5
Forced Fumbles: Three Tied with 2
Fumble Recoveries: Trey Corbin, 2
Interceptions: Noah Martin, 2
Pass Breakups: Yasir Gater, 4

Field Goals Made: Jonathan Gates, 4
PAT's Made: Jonathan Gates, 45
Punting Yards Average: Damir Whitaker, 25.00

SCOUTING CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT
The Captains enter this game ranked No. 13 in the nation by the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) poll and No. 14 by D3football.com. They are a perfect 7-0 on the year and 4-0 in NJAC play after a 52-7 rout at William Paterson this past Saturday. In 2024, CNU finished 7-3 with a 5-1 NJAC record. According to the 2025 NJAC Preseason Poll, they are slated to finish second this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The series between the Red Hawks and the Captains reaches double-digits as they face off for the 10^th time. CNU holds a slight advantage with a 5-4 record.

LAST MEETING
These two programs met last season on November 9 on Sprague Field, where the Captians came away with a 33-10 victory.
 
NEXT TIME OUT
Montclair State University will honor its senior class before its final home game of the season against TCNJ. Kickoff is set for a 5:00 p.m. start.