Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Running back Chris D’Andrea scored a one yard touchdown in overtime to give Montclair State University a 37-31 victory over Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.
Rowan had the first possession in the extra period. The Profs missed a 39 yard field goal that hit the left upright. Montclair started at the 25 yard line. On third down, D’Andrea (sr. Union, NJ/Union) broke free for a 24 yard run. On the next play, he rushed up the middle for the winning touchdown.
Montclair State, ranked 20th in this week’s American Football Coaches Association Division III Coaches Poll, improves to 8-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference. The Red Hawks are tied with Kean University for first place in the NJAC. The two teams meet next Saturday in Montclair at 1 p.m. The Profs have a 5-4 record with a 5-3 conference mark.
D’Andrea finished the game with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. Quarterback Drew Cathey (jr. East Rutherford, NJ/Becton Reg.) connected on 21 of 41 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Byron Lewin (sr. Carteret, NJ/Carteret) made eight catches for 127 yards and one touchdown. Wideout Dan Keegan (sr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex) hauled in seven balls for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Dan Avento (so. Montvale, NJ/Pascack Hills) registered a game-high 14 tackles (eight solo, six assisted), one tackle for a loss (-1 yard) and one pass breakup. Safety Chad Faulcon (sr. Cranford, NJ/Cranford) followed with 12 stops (eight solo, four assisted), one tackle for a loss (-2 yards) and two pass breakups. Linebacker Steve Shan (sr. Bayville, NJ/Central Reg.) forced a fumble and cornerback Kevin Cloghessy (sr. Hempstead, NY/Hempstead) recovered one. Safety Matt Mancino (so. Wall, NJ/Wall) recorded two interceptions, while cornerback C.J. Conway (fr. Folsom, NJ/Hammonton) and Cloghessy each had one.
For Rowan, running back Keith Corcoran (jr. Atlantic City, NJ/St. Joseph (Hammonton)) ran for 127 yards on 30 rushes. Quarterback Louie Bianchini (so. West Long Branch, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) completed 26 of 51 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Dan Reed (so. Westmont, NJ/Haddon Twp.) posted 11 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Wideout Eddie Eisenhart (fr. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.) added four grabs for 65 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Chris Garcia (jr. Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) had a 54 yard touchdown catch.
Linebacker Dean Hammel (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) compiled 12 tackles (three solo, nine assisted). Safety Eric Sharkey (sr. Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Reg.) had nine stops (one solo, eight assisted) and two pass breakups. Linebacker Geno Raman (sr. Mullica Hill, NJ/N. Kingstown (RI)), defensive back Sean Carroll (jr. Southampton, NJ/Seneca) and safety Casey Dillon (jr. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) all had one interception.
The Profs led 21-17 at the end of the third quarter. Cathey threw a 38 yard touchdown pass to Lewin at 10:45 in the fourth to give the Red Hawks a 24-21 advantage. Cathey was four for four for 78 yards. With 3:52 remaining, Eisenhart had a 38 yard touchdown grab to put Rowan ahead, 28-24. Bianchini threw for 54 yards with three completions (four attempts).
At 1:26, D’Andrea scored on a two yard touchdown carry, making the score, 31-28. Montclair State started at midfield after a 21 yard kickoff return by Keegan. D’Andrea had four carries for 17 yards and Lewin added a 19 yard reception. Profs’ kicker Tommy Wilczynski (so. Pine Hill, NJ/Overbrook) nailed an 18 yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime. Rowan started at the Montclair State 35 yard line. Bianchini had four completions in six attempts for 36 yards.
The Profs opened the game with a four yard touchdown pass from Bianchini to Reed at 11:34 in the first quarter. Corcoran rushed for 30 yards on four carries. Garcia scored on a 54 yard touchdown reception at 4:59. In the drive, Bianchini had three complete passes (three attempts) for 73 yards. With 4:07 on the clock, Raman had a 57 yard interception return for a touchdown to extend the lead to 21-0. Montclair State cut the deficit to 14 (21-7) following a 34 yard touchdown grab by Keegan at 3:38 in the second quarter.
At 6:21 in the third period, Keegan made a 12 yard touchdown catch to bring the Red Hawks within seven (21-14). Cathey threw for 81 yards with six completions in seven attempts. With 2:56 left in the quarter, Montclair State kicker Jake DelVento (sr. Island Heights, NJ/Toms River S.) converted a 28 yard field goal that made the score, 21-17. D’Andrea ran for 25 yards on three touches and Keegan added a 29 yard reception.
Rowan hosts NJAC opponent The College of New Jersey in the regular season finale on Saturday, November 12 at 1 p.m.
