MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Montclair State University football team defeated Rowan University, 20-16 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday afternoon.
Rowan has an overall mark of 4-3 and they are 3-1 in the NJAC. The Red Hawks have a record of 6-1 and in the conference they are 4-0.
The Profs had the football twice in the final 4:14 of the fourth quarter with an opportunity to score the game-winning touchdown, but were stopped by the Red Hawks. Rowan defensive lineman Anthony Rizzolo (so. Green Brook, NJ/Watchung Hills Reg.) intercepted a pass at the Rowan 45-yardline (4:14), but the Profs turned the ball over on downs at the Montclair State 24. After forcing a three and out, Rowan got the ball back on its own 26-yardline with 53 seconds remaining, but again turned the ball over on downs.
Rowan running back Withler Marcelin (jr. Ocean Twp., NJ/Ocean Twp.) carried the ball 28 times for 160 yards and one touchdown. It was the 12th 100-yard rushing game of his career, breaking the University record that was previously held by Pat Thompson (2002-04). Quarterback Bill McCarty (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) completed nine passes in 24 attempts for 96 yards and one TD. Wide receivers Russ Forchion (jr. Clementon, NJ/Hammonton) (72 yards) and Warren Oliver (sr. Palmyra, NJ/Palmyra) (28 yards) each caught four passes. Forchion also scored a touchdown.
Linebacker Tyler Jenkins (sr. Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) led the defense with 12 tackles, one for a loss (4 yards). Defensive back Rashad Adams (jr. Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy Vo-Tech) and linebacker Vinny Simone recorded eight tackles a piece. Defensive back Jared Sanchez (so. Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) and linebacker Darren Dungee (jr. Morristown, NJ/Morristown) each registered seven tackles.
For Montclair State, quarterback Gabe DiMasi (jr. West Caldwell, NJ/Montclair Kimberly Academy) threw for 191 yards (16-30) and two touchdowns. Running back Denzel Nieves (so. South Orange, NJ/Columbia) produced 102 yards and one touchdown on 30 carries. Split End Aaron Williams (jr. West Orange, NJ/Jonathan Dayton) had four receptions for 92 yards and two scores.
Linebacker Michael Tenpenny (jr. Wall, NJ/Wall) collected nine tackles, two for a loss (1 yard). Defensive backs Eric Gargiulo (jr. Cranford, NJ/Cranford) and Bill Shimko (jr. Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Reg.) each had eight tackles. Gargiulo also tallied two tackles for a loss (4 yards).
No points were scored in the first quarter, but with 13:51 to play in the second, DiMasi found Williams for a 13-yard touchdown. The play capped a 51-yard drive that used 2:16 of the clock. The drive also included a 45-yard reception by Williams. Defensive end Chris Alvarez (sr. Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) blocked the point after attempt. Rowan tied the score at the 7:02 mark on a 49-yard touchdown strike from McCarty to Forchion. The point after attempt was blocked by defensive lineman Vincent Cordasco (fr. Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove). The scoring drive was six plays and went 75 yards. Marcelin had three rushes for 19 yards.
The Profs took the lead with 39 seconds on the clock as Marcelin scampered 35 yards for the touchdown. Marcelin ran the ball six times for 67 yards during the nine play, 77-yard drive. The point after attempt was good and the Profs took the 13-6 lead into the dressing room.
Montclair State took the opening drive of the third quarter 80 yards in seven plays and scored on a two-yard run by Nieves. Nieves also had a 45-yard run during the drive that gave the Red Hawks a first and goal at the nine yardline. The extra point attempt was good and the score was tied at 13 with 10:59 remaining in the third quarter.
The Red Hawks took the lead back on the first play of the fourth, as Williams caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from DiMasi. The scoring drive encompassed 44 yards on six plays and gave Montclair State a 20-13 lead with 14:51 to play in the fourth quarter. Kicker Tyler Knighton (fr. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) capped off the ensuing drive with a 25-yard field goal (10:39), cutting the deficit to 20-16. The nine play, 46-yard drive took 4:03 off the clock.
Rowan hosts Southern Virginia University on Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m.