Box Score
MONTCLAIR, NJ – Running back Ryan McCoach scored on a three yard carry in overtime to give Montclair State University a 27-20 win over visiting Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.
The Red Hawks had the first possession in overtime. It took eight plays for MSU to record the game winner and McCoach (jr. Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) had the ball for five of them. In the Profs’ possession, quarterback Mike Orihel (sr. Trenton, NJ/Central Bucks W. (PA)) was intercepted by linebacker Cornell Hunt (so. North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick) to seal the victory.
After trailing 20-10 in the third quarter, wide receiver Fred Carter (sr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) had an eight yard touchdown catch from quarterback Michael Jump (jr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River S.). Vin Doffont (sr. No. Arlington, NJ/St. Mary’s (Ruth)) kicked the extra point and the Red Hawks trailed by three points.
In the final period, Rowan’s last drive ended on the MSU 31 yard line with 1:09 left. The Red Hawks tied the score with a 43 yard field goal by Doffont at the nine second mark. It was his second field goal of the game. The first was 41 yards in the second quarter.
Montclair State improves to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the conference. Rowan is 5-2 overall with a 4-1 NJAC mark. The Profs are ranked seven in this week’s American Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll.
McCoach ended the game with 80 yards on 29 attempts. Jump passed for 261 yards with 14 completions in 33 attempts and two touchdowns. Carter led the receivers with five catches for 127 yards and two TDs. Hunt recorded a game high 14 tackles, 10 were solo stops.
Orihel ended the game 178 yards and three touchdowns with 13 completions (31 attempts). Wide receiver Jim Migliori (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) totaled 119 yards with five receptions and two touchdowns. On defense, strong safety Sal Calaciura (jr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) and defensive end Randy Tosh (jr. Columbia, NJ/North Warren Reg.) compiled six tackles apiece.
Rowan started the scoring at 11:25 in the first quarter when Orihel completed a 41 yard touchdown pass to Migliore. The extra point attempt was blocked. MSU went up 7-6 in the second after Jump’s TD toss of 78 yards to Carter at 10:39. Orihel found Migliore again, this time with a 54 yarder with 7:50 left in the half. The Profs were ahead 14-7 after the two-point conversion pass. Doffont recorded his first field goal at 1:11. Rowan led 14-10 at the intermission.
In the third stanza, Orihel completed his third touchdown pass of 45 yards to wide receiver Emory Lester (fr. Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton) at 12:31. For the second time, the Red Hawks blocked the PAT. Both blocks were by Mike Ajadi (jr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield). Jump ended the quarter with an eight yard TD pass Carter.
Rowan returns home to host SUNY Cortland (8-0) on Saturday, November 4 at 1 p.m. Cortland is in first place (6-0) in the conference standings, a game ahead of Rowan.
