Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University football team (3-1, 1-0 NJAC) showed up big on homecoming day and secured a 42-14 rout against Kean on Saturday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Red Hawks moved the ball on their opening drive but ultimately turned it over on downs following a sack on fourth down. Kean began its first possession from its own 44-yard line and eventually found the end zone on a 36-yard quarterback scramble to take a 7-0 lead.
- Fumbles on each of Montclair's next two drives halted potential game-tying opportunities, but the defense held firm, preventing Kean from adding to its lead and forcing a pair of punts.
- After the teams traded punts, Montclair regained possession with 6:41 remaining in the second quarter. LUKE HENRICH connected with TJ KACHALA for 11 yards before finding ALI LEE JR. for a 29-yard gain. DIANTE WILSON capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to even the game at 7-7.
- Montclair forced another punt and began its next drive from its own 16-yard line. Kachala took a screen pass 83 yards down to the Kean one-yard line before Wilson punched it into the end zone on the following play to give the Red Hawks a 14-7 advantage.
- With 1:05 remaining in the half, Montclair put together one final scoring drive before intermission. Starting from its own 47-yard line, the Red Hawks marched to the Kean 31 in nine plays. As time expired, MIKE FIRETTO drilled a 48-yard field goal to send Montclair into halftime with a 17-7 lead.
- The Cougars came out of halftime firing, connecting on multiple vertical passes along the outside. Kean eventually capped off the drive with an 18-yard fade to the corner of the end zone, trimming Montclair's lead to 17-14.
- Both teams went three-and-out on their ensuing possessions before the Montclair ground game began to gain traction with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter. Henrich called his own number and broke free for a 32-yard run before Wilson found the end zone again from one yard out to restore the Red Hawks' two-possession advantage.
- Kean turned the ball over on downs late in the third quarter, and Wilson took advantage on Montclair's ensuing possession, breaking free for a 49-yard touchdown run. The score marked his fourth touchdown of the game and extended the Red Hawks' lead to 31-14.
- WILLIAM CANAVAN recovered a fumble to end Kean's next possession. Henrich then connected with KHALIL FORBES for a 17-yard gain before eventually finding Lee Jr. for an eight-yard touchdown pass. CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD added two more points, hitting the corner on a two-point conversion for a 39-14 lead.
- Firetto found three more points on a field goal from 20 yards out that capped off a dominant 41-14 win.
INSIDE THE RESULTS
- Wilson continued to add to his electric start to the season. He turned 21 carries into 155 yards and four touchdowns. His four touchdowns are tied for the second-best mark in single-game history.
- Canavan led a stout Montclair defense with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. ASHAN HARRIS followed right behind with eight tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
- Kachala had his most productive outing of the season, turning seven receptions into 130 yards.
FROM THE FIELD
"Really proud of the way the guys played in the second half. Some outstanding performances by guys we count on. Going to enjoy this one for tonight, but it is on to the next one." Head Coach Mike Palazzo
UP NEXT
Montclair is back home on Saturday, October 10, for a matchup against rival William Paterson. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.
