Montclair State University Athletics

Ewing, NJ – The Montclair State University football team (6-2, 4-1 NJAC) traveled for NJAC play at TCNJ, where they erased an early deficit to defeat the Lions by a score of 25-21.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks went three-and-out on the first drive of the game. The Lions were putting together a good opening drive but were set back by a holding call on first and 10 from the MSU 36-yard line that stalled the drive and gave possession back to Montclair.
• On a drive starting at the 8:13 mark, DIANTE WILSON ripped off a 20-yard run to set the tone of the drive. BERNIE TINORD got into the mix with a run of 18 to push Montclair deep into Lions' territory. The Red Hawks had to settle for a field goal, which BRENDAN MCGONIGLE hit from 32 yards out to take a 3-0 lead.
• TCNJ flipped the game quickly in the second quarter. They used an eight-play, 78-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead. They then used an interception collected at the MSU 37 to eventually score on a 17-yard scamper to command a 14-3 lead.
• Montclair put together the longest drive of the game on both sides at the 7:39 timestamp in the second. On the drive, LUKE HENRICH connected with ANTHONY ROIGE, TJ KACHALA, and GIANPAUL CORTES on gains of 10+. Henrich capped off a 14-play, 84-yard drive with a 22-yard strike to Kachala to cut the lead to 14-10, a score that went into halftime.
• Starting with the ball in the third quarter, TCNJ used a 42-yard deep ball to score from seven yards out to get back out to a two-possession lead of 21-10.
• The Red Hawks answered right back on the next drive. Kachala came up with big pickups of 13 and 15 on third and fourth down to help sustain the drive. Wilson punched in a touchdown from two yards, and a well-designed two-point conversion that saw Kachala throw to ALI LEE JR. narrowed the lead to just three at 21-18, TCNJ.
• After forcing a three-and-out, Montclair went right back on the attack. Starting from the MSU 33. The Red Hawks got to the Lions' 40 for Wilson, who hit the edge and broke away from the defense for the go-ahead score, putting Montclair up 25-21.
• The Red Hawk defense forced another three-and-out to give the offense the ball with 11:56 remaining. Montclair used the run game to not only push the ball into TCNJ territory but also burn a ton of clock. Getting the ball down to the Lion 16, Wilson scored again, but had the touchdown called back on a holding call. A chop block pushed Montclair out of scoring territory and forced them to punt, but the drive burned 10:10 off the clock, giving the Lions the ball back with just 1:56 remaining in the game.
• In its two-minute drill, TCNJ completed a series of passes that go them into Montclair territory. On second and 10 from the MSU 41, JAIDEN HERNANDEZ blitzed and recorded not just the strip sack, but picked up the fumble recovery that iced the game for Montclair.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Montclair has been stellar this season in the second half of games. They have been outscored 98-95 in the first half this season but own a 132-50 (+82) scoring margin against teams in the second half this season. That mark includes a whopping 90-20 difference in the fourth quarter. They haven't been outscored in the second half in any game this season.
• Wilson continues to be a star for the Montclair offense, finishing the day with 151 yards on 23 carries. He now has 15 rushing touchdowns on the season, which is a top-five mark in the nation  with his 944 yards on the ground ranking in the top 12.
• Kachala was the main target today in the pass game, finishing with seven receptions for 74 yards. He ranks second in the NJAC in receptions (44), yards (684), and yards per game (85.5).
• Defensively, BI'SHAY SANDERS led the team in tackles with eight. SHAUN SMITH II was right behind with seven tackles that included six solo.
• TYLER JACKSON saw a career-high three pass breakups in the matchup, which is a game-high this season from any defender.

 
FROM THE FIELD

• "We talked all week about doing our job. In the first half, we made too many uncharacteristic mistakes, but I was proud of how our guys responded. We came out in the second half and played our brand of football. We learned that if we want to accomplish great things, we have to stick together. Our offense needed our defense, and our defense needed our offense. That's good team football. I'm proud of the way our guys fought and found a way to win. We'll enjoy this one, but it's on to the next." Head Coach Mike Palazzo

UP NEXT

• Montclair will honor its senior class before its final home game of the season against Vermont State Castleton on Saturday, November 7. The game is set for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.