MONTCLAIR, NJ -- Rowan captured the second-annual Breakfast Bowl on Saturday, defeating Montclair State, 38-26. With the win, the Profs stake the claim for the second-straight year in naming the popular breakfast food to be called "Pork Roll" until the next season's matchup.

The "Breakfast Bowl" was created to highlight the rivalry between the two NJAC schools while bringing awareness to food insecurity in the state.

The Prof defense came alive in the second half, limiting the Red Hawks to just 57 total yards over the final 30 minutes. AJ Ryker's 14-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter helped to start to turn the tide for the Profs. Nunes Bukula IV added a pair of rushing scores as Rowan built a 20-point lead in the fourth.

Bukula IV finished with 90 yards on 15 carries with Tyshawn Bookman totaling 51 yards on 14 attempts. Quarterback Nate Maiers was 18-of-27 for 218 yards, throwing a TD pass to Michael Zarfati (5 receptions for 82 yards).

Defensively, Ryker collected eight tackles. Teammate Anthony Henriquez posted a game-high 10 stops (six solo) and added a QB hurry. Colin Costello forced a fumble to go with his four tackles (one for a two-yard loss).

Maiers led the offense on the opening drive to paydirt on just five plays from its own 36 yard-line, as he hit Zarfati on a 19-yard strike for the game's first points. The Red Hawks took advantage of a fumble recovery near midfield later in the frame to tie things at 7-7 on a four-yard TD run by quarterback Luke Henrich.

After a fourth-down stop at its own 36 late in the first quarter, the Profs rode that momentum into the second where QB Matt Welsey ran one in from four yards out. James Mazura ran in the two-point conversion on a trick play to give the Profs a 15-7 edge. Montclair added a 30-yard field goal and later a 24-yard score from Diante Wilson. After a two-point conversion of their own, the Red Hawks would lead 18-15 at the half.

On the first play of Montclair's second drive of the third quarter, Ryker snagged a bobbled ball on a short pass and ran it back 14 yards for a defensive score. After the defense forced a three and out, Rowan had good field position off a short punt, starting at the MSU 40 yard line. Bukula IV busted through on a 2nd and 2 from the 32 for his first score on the day to make it 29-18

Kicker Greg Casimir extended the lead with his impressive 51-yard field goal, one yard shy of tying a career best, early in the fourth.

Costello's forced fumble on Montclair's first play after the field goal gave the Profs the ball at the Red Hawk 18. After Rowan converted on a 4th and 1 at the MSU nine-yard line, Bukula IV rumbled in on the very next play from six yards out to give the visitors a 20-point lead.

Joseph Riina, who converted that 4th and 1 earlier in the quarter, added a 54-yard run on a fake punt attempt late in the contest to help keep the ball and run out the clock to pick up the team's third win of the season.

Rowan outgained Montclair State, 419-257, on the day.

Wilson totaled 111 yards on the ground and two scores for the Red Hawks while Henrich was just 15-of-22 for 126 yards.

Next Saturday, Rowan squares off with William Paterson on Homecoming with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.  - BUY TICKETS