Montclair, NJ – Senior running back JOHN DISTEFANO scored from nine yards out with 49 seconds remaining as Montclair State rallied past Rowan 21-14 at Sprague Field on Saturday.
DiStefano rushed for 124 yards and two scores as MSU improved to 2-1 overall, squaring its NJAC record at 1-1. Montclair won the "Color Clash" game with the Profs as it upped its record to 32-24 in the all-time series while snapping a two-game skid to Rowan.
A blocked extra-point left Montclair with a 14-13 deficit when it took possession at its own 43 yard line with 1:18 to play. RYAN ADZIMA found VINNY LOVERDE along the sideline for 17 yards on the first play and then connected with JOE SCHULTZ for 25 yards down to the Rowan 15. Adzima scramble for 11 yards down to the 4 and the Red Hawks spiked the ball. A penalty moved the ball back to the Rowan 9.
DiStefano, who carried 35 times in the game, took the handoff and appeared to be swallowed up by several Rowan defenders. But he emerged from the pile and scampered into the end zone for the go-ahead score. DiStefano added the two-point conversion for the 21-14 lead.
Rowan's attempt to tie the game ended two plays into their possession as DYLAN ELLIOTT intercepted a Dante Pinckney pass at the MSU 20 with 31 seconds. The Profs had all three timeouts remaining however that proved moot as DiStefano rushed for 16 yards and a first down ending the game.
Eight turnovers were committed in the game and it was the second that produced the first points. Backed up to their own 2 after intercepting an MSU pass, Pinckney lost control of the snap which was recovered by FRANK GRECO. DiStefano scored on the next play giving Montclair State a 7-0 lead with 1:11 to go in the opening quarter.
Rowan answered immediately with a 14-play, 78-yard drive. Pinckney connected with Dashown Walker for 22 yards on a 3rd-and-11 to keep the drive going. Gawain Bragg added another conversion with a three yard run before Pinckney found Zac Frantz across the back of the end zone for the score with 9:49 to play before halftime.
In the third quarter, a Rowan punt backup MSU up to its own 13. Forced to punt from its own goal line, Kevin Stokes raced in an blocked the HUNTER DALY attempt. The ball trickled into the end zone where it was receovered by Jeff Rodriguez for the touchdown as Rowan went up 14-7 with 13:32 left. Montclair State countered that on its first play. Adzima threw deep down the sideline to JULANEE PRINCE who managed to pull the ball in between two Rowan defenders before racing the final 40 yards to complete a 73-yard score. The Profs' Darryl Guilford knocked away the extra point as Rowan remained in front 14-13 with 13:14 remaining.
Two possessions later the Red Hawks fubmled away the ball near midfield with 7:30 left. The Profs drove down to the MSU 12 with a chance to increase its lead however that drive ended with Montclair's MAURO ALTAMURA intercepting a pass in the end zone keeping the deficit at a point. The Red Hawks were forced to punt but caught another break at Greco recovered a muffed punt at the Rowan 29. Faced with a fourth down, MSU attempted a 47-yard field goal with 1:37 left that fell a few yards short.
Montclair used its three timeouts wisely forcing a Rowan punt which went just 24 yards to the Red Hawks 43 setting up the game-winning drive.
Adzima went 10-of-21 for 202 yards with Prince (96 yards) and Schultz (66 yards) each catched three passes. NICK CATALANO and JOE FALATO each had 10 tackles with SHAON STEPHENSON netting nine. JAKE WEBER and VINCENT CORDASCO each had eight with Cordasco picking up a sack. CHRIS CIMILLUCA registered seven tackles with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
MSU is in action next Saturday, October 1 when it makes the nine-mile journey to Wayne, NJ to face local rival William Paterson at 1:00 pm.
Montclair St. Knocks Off Rowan in Color Clash Contest, 21-14
/seasons/2016/boxscores/20160924_mt60.xml
2016
Rowan
14
Montclair State
21
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan (2-1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Montclair State (2-1) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Sep 24, 2016