Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University football team (4-1, 2-0 NJAC) was in complete command of its Saturday evening matchup against William Paterson (0-5, 0-2 NJAC), rolling its way to a 42-0 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a defensive battle in the first quarter. Both teams held each other in check despite a few big plays from both teams. The Red Hawks saw a 52-yard completion to TJ KACHALA on its drive starting with 8:30 remaining in the first quarter, but were forced to punt.
- On a drive that transitioned from the first to second quarter, Montclair ended the scoreless drive. Two big gains of 12 and 34 to Kachala set up a seven-yard touchdown scamper by DIANTE WILSON for the game's first score.
- Both teams traded punts back-and-forth until the Red Hawk drive starting at 8:30. On the first play of the drive, Wilson ripped off his longest run of the season, accelerating for 59 yards before a shoestring tackle at the two-yard line prevented him from scoring on that play. He eventually was able to punch it in from three yards out and jumped Montclair out to a 14-0 lead.
- Two big defensive turnovers led to consecutive scoring drives before the half. On the first play of a Pioneer drive, the quarterback scrambled out and was tattooed by JAHMIR BEAL, who caused a fumble that was recovered by Dan Kikta. That led to LUKE HENRICH finding GIANPAUL CORTES in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown reception. The next WPU possession, TYLER JACKSON made an acrobatic interception at midfield and set up a deep shot to Kachala, who wrestled the ball away from a defender in the end zone for a 41-yard score and pushed the advantage out to 28-0 at halftime.
- The Red Hawks gained the opening possession of the second half and used an eight-play, 75-yard drive to command a 35-0 lead. Kachala scored again on another deep ball from Henrich, reaching the end zone on another 41-yard strike.
- Montclair's final score of the night started on a drive with 12:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Red Hawks paced the drive on the ground, eventually seeing a 16-yard score from ALI LEE JR., who took a handoff, weaved through defenders, and turned the corner for the score. The Red Hawks held firm for the shutout.
INSIDE THE RESULTS
- Tonight was Montclair's first shutout since April 2, 2021, when the Red Hawks blanked William Paterson, 28-0 at home.
- Kachala had a monster stat line, finishing the game with six catches for 181 yards and two scores. His game finished as the fifth-best receiving yards performance in program history, just behind the 192 he had against Salisbury last season.
- Wilson has now made it four-straight 100+ yard performances with his 104 tonight. He has a touchdown in all five games this season and has also scored multiple touchdowns in all but one game this season.
- Henrich had his most efficient outing of the season. He finished 10-for-17 for 227 and three touchdowns.
- Defensively, JAYDEN LUCAS stepped up and led the team with seven tackles that included a tackle for loss and a half sack.
- Jackson's interception was the first of his career.
- Montclair is off to its best start since 2018, when the team started 5-0 to start its campaign
FROM THE FIELD
- "The guys took care of business tonight. I thought the execution of the game plan was sound. A couple of guys made some key plays. Really happy for Defensive Coordinator Liam Nelson securing his first shutout as DC. Excited to get back to work this week." Head Coach Mike Palazzo
UP NEXT
- Montclair will host its toughest test of the season, facing #10/#13 Christopher Newport on Saturday, October 17. The NJAC face-off is set for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff.
