Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University football team honors its 21 seniors before closing out its 2025 home schedule with an NJAC matchup against TCNJ on Saturday.

GAME INFO
Kickoff from Sprague Field is set for 5:00 p.m. Live coverage links and additional information on the event can be found at montclairathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair battled hard against nationally ranked #13/#14 Christopher Newport, but ultimately fell 49-42 last Saturday. After a three-and-out on the Red Hawks' opening possession, they used a short punt that set them up at the MSU 43 to drive down and punch in the game's opening touchdown and took a 7-0 lead. After defensive stops from both teams, Montclair started a drive with 5:08 left in the opening quarter on its own 32. Chunk plays through the air to TJ KACHALA and runs from DIANTE WILSON pushed the ball up to the CNU 31, where CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD ripped off a breakaway run for the score. They went from two, and Arnold threw a competition in the endzone to Nick Bachman to take an 8-7 lead.  Christopher Newport answered back on a seven-play, 54-yard drive that was finished off on a three-yard touchdown run to regain the lead. They then forced another three-and-out and used the next drive to connect on a 54-yard touchdown throw to jump out in front 21-8 with 9:51 remaining in the second quarter.  After the kickoff went out of bounds, the Red Hawks started the next drive at their 40-yard line. LUKE HENRICH connected on big plays of 14 and 30 to Kachala that highlighted a nice drive. Wilson stamped the drive off with a touchdown run from nine yards out, but a failed two-point conversion kept the game at 21-14.  Montclair caught CNU off guard on the next kickoff, and JAHMIR BEAL recovered a muffed ball to help the Red Hawks retain possession. They got inside the 10-yard line of the Captains, but had to settle for three and cut the lead to 21-17. Christopher Newport was putting together a nice drive before the half, but was halted when a deep shot was intercepted by RYAN VISALLI and flipping the momentum in their favor. Montclair saw another drive get into a goal-to-go situation, but the CNU defense held strong again, and Montclair took another ROGER RUBINETTI field goal and put the score at 21-20 CNU going into the second half.  The Captains, on the first possession of the second half, used a seven-play, 64-yard drive to score another touchdown, this time on a five-yard pass to go up 28-20.  The Red Hawks responded quickly when a connection from Henrich to KHALIL FORBES broke free over the middle for a 70-yard touchdown and tied the game right back up, 28-28. A forced fumble on the next drive that was forced by UMAR DAVIS and recovered by JONTAE WALTERS set Montclair up with another big opportunity to take a lead. The one-two punch of Arnold and Wilson trotted Montclair down the field and was capped off by Arnold on the ground from 10 yards out and gave the Red Hawks a 35-28 advantage.  CNU did not falter and used another methodical drive that was finished off by a 17-yard touchdown throw that tied the game 35-35. The difference makers in the game came at the end of the third and into the fourth quarter. Montclair saw three interceptions on three consecutive drives, one leading to a touchdown run from a yard out and one being a 50-yard pick six that pushed Christopher Newport out in front 49-35.  With 5:51 remaining in the game, the Red Hawks did not fold. They generated an eight-play, 61-yard drive for a touchdown. Wilson finished off the drive on the ground from two yards out to cut the lead to 49-42. With 2:58 remaining in the game, Christopher Newport was able to run out the rest of the clock and escape with a win.

2025 TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (3-5, 2-3 NJAC)
Passing Yards: LUKE HENRICH, 1,645
Passing Touchdowns: LUKE HENRICH, 9
Rushing Yards: DIANTE WILSON, 653
Rushing Touchdowns: DIANTE WILSON, 13
Receiving Yards: TJ KACHALA, 786
Receiving Touchdowns: TJ KACHALA, 5

Tackles: ALEX BUCHWALD, 61
Tackles for Loss: ALEX BUCHWALD, 10.5
Sacks: Two Tied with 2.0
Forced Fumbles: Three Tied with 2
Fumble Recoveries: JAHMIR BEAL, 2
Interceptions: Two Tied with 1
Pass Breakups: ALEX BUCHWALD, 4

Field Goals Made: Roger Rubenetti, 6
PAT's Made: Roger Rubenetti, 22
Punting Yards Average: Roger Rubenetti, 35.55
 
TCNJ (6-2, 3-2 NJAC)
Passing Yards: Dean Licari, 345
Passing Touchdowns: Kyle Vellis, 2
Rushing Yards: Joe Visaggio, 535
Rushing Touchdowns: Joe Visaggio, 9
Receiving Yards: Ryan Gill, 197
Receiving Touchdowns: Erik Garv, 2

Tackles: Dave Giulian, 73
Tackles for Loss: Jameson Sessa, 8.5
Sacks: Jameson Sessa, 4.0
Forced Fumbles: Christian Bennett, 2
Fumble Recoveries: Four Tied with 1
Interceptions: Justin Kurc, 6
Pass Breakups: Two Tied with 3

Field Goals Made: Tim Willever, 5
PAT's Made: Tim Willever, 6
Punting Yards Average: Jake Ware, 41.03

SCOUTING TCNJ
The Lions enter this matchup with a 6-2 overall record with a 3-2 NJAC record after falling to Rowan this past weekend, 44-30. In 2024, they finished just over .500 at 6-4 and had a 3-3 NJAC record. According to the 2025 NJAC Preseason Poll, TCNJ was predicted to finish fourth.

SERIES HISTORY
The longstanding series between TCNJ and Montclair reaches contest number 91 in a rivalry that dates back to 1929. The Red Hawks own the all-time series at 56-33-2, but TCNJ has won three of the last four

LAST MEETING
These two programs met last season on October 5 in Ewing, NJ, where Montclair was bested by a score of 33-10.
 
NEXT TIME OUT
Montclair State University looks to close out the season on a high note as they travel to take on William Paterson on Saturday, November 15. Kickoff for that game is set for 1:00 p.m.