Rowan Seeks to End Losing Streak Against No. 23 Montclair State
Rowan has lost the last four games to Montclair from 2006-09. It is the longest losing streak since a seven game losing streak to the Red Hawks from 1984-90. It is also rare for Montclair to be ranked while the Profs are unranked. Rowan travels to Montclair this Saturday for the first NJAC contest of the season.
Last Saturday, Montclair State blanked Westfield State College (MA), 34-0 in its season opener. Running back Chris D’Andrea led the offense with 174 rushing yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He also had two receptions for 47 yards and a TD. Running back Matt Jimenez added 57 yards on 18 touches, while running back A.J. Scoppa ran for 41 yards and a touchdown on three attempts. Quarterback Tom Fischer completed 12 of 26 passes for 202 yards and a TD. Wide receiver Dan Keegan hauled in three balls for 70 yards and wideout Byron Lewin had three catches for 44 yards. The Red Hawks held Westfield State to 103 yards of total offense (57 rushing and 46 passing). Linebacker Ed Kirschenbaum recorded a team-high nine tackles (three solo, six assisted). Linebacker Dan Avento and cornerback Kevin Cloghessy both had five stops (three solo, two assisted). Avento had one tackle for a loss (-4 yards) and Cloghessy intercepted a pass. Defensive tackle Bobby Skinner produced four tackles (two solo, two assisted), two tackles for a loss (-6 yards) and one sack (-5 yards). Safety Matt Mancino added one interception. After a scoreless first period, Montclair State went ahead 3-0 after a 23 yard field goal by kicker Jake Delvento at 9:43 in the second. Delvento nailed a 49 yard field goal as time expired to give the Red Hawks a 6-0 halftime advantage. With 31 seconds left in the third quarter, D’Andrea caught a 45 yard touchdown pass from Fischer to make the score, 13-0. Keegan had a 75 yard punt return for a TD to end the third. At 8:32 in the fourth stanza, D’Andrea scored on a 42 yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 27-0. Scoppa tacked on a two yard TD carry at 4:25 to end the scoring.
The Profs are second in the NJAC in rushing defense (113.0) and kick returns (22.5). Rowan ranks third in total defense (258.0) and fourth in rushing offense (158.0), pass defense (145.0) and pass defense efficiency (88.6).
The Red Hawks are the conference leaders in scoring offense (34.0), scoring defense (0.0), total offense (472.0), total defense (103.0), rushing offense (251.0), rushing defense (57.0) and sacks (3.0). Montclair State is second in pass offense (221.0), pass defense (46.0), pass defense efficiency (27.9), punt returns (24.8), interceptions (two) and punting (35.8).
Some of these stats are little misleading. Westfield can be considered a cupcake for last year’s NCAA’s semi-finalist, Montclair State.
The real key to the game on Saturday may come down to experience. The Red Hawks had the benefit of almost half-a-season of game week practice due to playoff participation last year. This is often a big advantage given the normal restrictions imposed on DIII football team preparation.
If Rowan can overcome the experience disadvantage, and eliminate some the mistakes they made two weeks ago, I think the Profs more than measure up talent wise. The Profs need to do a better job of extending the field vertically and complete more passes down field, while rushing like they did against Lycoming, in order to win.
See you on Saturday.
Rowanfootball.com was started in 2002 by Tom Wilson aka JT. JT is a Rowan alumnus who has followed the team since his time as an undergrad.
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