GLASSBORO, NJ – Visiting Montclair State University scored the final 10 points of the game to defeat the Rowan University football team, 13-3 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) contest on Saturday afternoon.
It was the final home game of the season for the Profs, who have a 3-6 record and a 2-6 conference mark. The Red Hawks are 4-5 overall and 4-4 in the NJAC.
Running back Anthony Travisano (jr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) led the Montclair State attack with 128 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Quarterback John Apicella (jr. Springfield, NJ/Jonathan Dayton) was 11-of-20 for 95 yards. Tight end Brian Kowalczyk (so. Wallington, NJ/Wallington) caught three passes for 46 yards and Travisano also made three receptions. Kicker Hunter Daly (jr. Neptune, NJ/Neptune) converted two field goals.
The Red Hawk defense limited Rowan to 138 yards of total offense. Defensive lineman Vincent Cordasco (sr. Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) totaled a game-high 10 tackles, including two for a loss. Linebacker Joshua Betts (sr. Newark, NJ/Central) recorded nine stops, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Defensive lineman Chris Palma (sr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) tallied seven tackles while defensive linemen Brandon Burdge (so. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) and Austin Smith (fr. Mays Landing, NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) each had one sack.
Running backs Anthony Diorio (jr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) and John Mannion (jr. Verona, NJ/James Caldwell) posted 38 and 29 yards respectively for the Profs. Quarterback Brian Furlong (fr. Audubon, NJ/Audubon) completed seven of 15 pass attempts. Tight end Mika Graham (sr. Fords, NJ/Woodbridge) had four catches.
Defensive back Quincy Jenkins (so. Williamstown, NJ/Cherry Hill W.) and linebacker Chris Noesges (sr. Freehold, NJ/Manalapan) produced six tackles apiece. Defensive back Shaquille Lee (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) and defensive lineman Kristian Lewis (sr. Union, NJ/Union) each registered five stops. Defensive back Eli Carlos (so. Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) and Lee added one sack apiece while defensive back Malachi Winters (fr. Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) contributed with a forced fumble and an interception.
Montclair State received the opening kickoff and proceeded to drive 48 yards on nine plays. The Red Hawks advanced to the Rowan 11 but had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Daly (10:06). Apicella hit Kowalczyk for a 32-yard gain on the possession.
The Profs responded with a field goal on their first drive. Rowan went 51 yards on 14 plays and kicker Tyler Knighton (sr. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) booted a 42-yarder to tie the score at three (2:32). The kick tied his career long and increased his school record total to 36 for his career.
In the second quarter, the Profs had a punt blocked and Montclair State was set up at the Rowan 24. The Red Hawks could not capitalize as Daly pushed a 35-yard field goal attempt wide right. The teams were even at three heading into halftime.
The Profs had the ball first in the second half and were forced to punt. On Montclair State's first play, Travisano sprinted for a 66-yard touchdown and the Red Hawks took a 10-3 advantage (11:11). Rowan reached the Montclair State 40-yard line just once for the remainder of the game. Daly tacked on a 38-yard field goal with 10:34 left in the final quarter.
The Profs finish the campaign at Kean University on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.