Football Posts Homecoming Victory Over Montclair State, 19-13

UNION, N.J. (10/14/06) - Junior quarterback AJ Roque (Matawan, N.J.) completed 21-of-30 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns, as the Cougars scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat Montclair State University, 19-13, in New Jersey Athletic Conference football action in front of 2,750 fans on Saturday afternoon during Homecoming Weekend. With the win, the Cougars improved to 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the NJAC, while the Red Hawks drop their first NJAC contest to fall to 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the conference.

The Cougars overcame four interceptions and a fumble against the top-ranked passing efficiency defense in the nation, as Roque's three touchdown passes were the first passing TDs Montclair has allowed this season. Sophomore wide receiver Durell Dukes (Elizabeth, N.J.) had eight receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns, while junior wide receiver Brian Williams (Pleasantville, N.J.) added five catches for 53 yards and one touchdown.

With the game tied at 13-13, Kean senior outside linebacker Jairus Kendle (Asbury Park, N.J.) sacked MSU junior quarterback Michael Jump (Toms River, N.J.) to force a fumble that Kean senior defensive lineman Mo El Sherbini (Carteret, N.J.) recovered at the Montclair State 12-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Just three plays later, Roque completed the nine-yard TD pass to Williams for the game-winning score with 11:43 left in the game.

Both teams exchanged punts on each of their next two possessions, with Montclair State receiving the ball one final time with 97 seconds left in the contest. Jump completed five straight pass attempts, including a 31-yard completion to junior wide receiver Rashon Walker (Belmar, N.J.) to midfield and a 22-yard completion to sophomore wide receiver Brandon Fronjian (Palisades Park, N.J.), that gave the Red Hawks a first-and-ten on the Kean 25-yard line. After three incomplete passes, Jump completed a six-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver AJ Lettizia (Dumont, N.J.), leaving the Red Hawks four yards short of the first down and turning the ball over to the Cougars on downs with only 21 seconds left in the game to seal the Cougar victory.

Montclair State took an early lead in the first quarter, as sophomore linebacker Cornell Hunt (North Brunswick, N.J.) intercepted a Roque pass and returned it 51-yards for the first score of the game. Senior kicker Vin Doffont (North Arlington, N.J.) added the extra point to give the Red Hawks a 7-0 lead with 3:47 left in the first quarter.

After a pair of Cougar turnovers, including the Red Hawks second interception of Roque and a fumble following a MSU punt, Montclair State looked to extend their lead, however Doffont missed the 37-yard field goal attempt.

On the Cougars' next possession, Roque completed a pair of passes to Dukes, including a 57-yard touchdown pass with 8:29 left in the first half. Junior kicker Jon Robinson (Brick, N.J.) added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 heading into halftime.

With less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, MSU took advantage of the Cougars having to punt into the wind, as the Red Hawks received the ball on the Kean 34-yard line. During the drive, junior running back Ryan McCoach (Rockaway, N.J.) had three rushes for 11 yards and Letizia added a 19-yard reception before Jump completed the four-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Jeff Papcun (Hazlet, N.J.) with only 1:30 left in the third quarter. The Red Hawks held a 13-7 advantage after the Doffont extra point attempt was blocked by the Cougars.

Kean answered right back on its next drive, as Roque hit Dukes with a 30-yard touchdown pass to cap a seven-play, 73-yard drive in just 2:36 spanning the third and fourth quarters, and tying the game at 13-13 after the extra point attempt failed.

Defensively for the Cougars, Kendle had eight total tackes, including a pair of sacks for a loss of 16-yards, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Junior free safety Ryan Staton (Mays Landing, N.J.) led the team with 10 total tackles, while senior defensive back Aharon Kiett (Atlantic City, N.J.) had five total tackles, four pass break-ups and one interception. El Sherbini had one fumble recovery and a key fourth-quarter sack for a seven-yard loss, one of Kean's five sacks on the afternoon.

For the Red Hawks, Jump completed 15-of-38 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown, while Letizia made five catches for 79 yards. On the ground, McCoach gained 84 yards on 20 rushing attempts.

Junior defensive back Saladeen McGrady (West Orange, N.J.) had nine total tackles and one interception and one passes defended to lead a Red Hawk defense that picked off Roque four times and sacked him twice. Hunt added seven tackles to his interception return for a touchdown, while junior defensive back Eugene Pinkney (Fairview, N.J.) had four tackles, one interception and two pass break-ups.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, October 21, when they travel to Glassboro, N.J., to take on defending NJAC champion and tenth-ranked Rowan University. Kick-off is slated for 2 p.m. Montclair State hosts ninth-ranked Cortland State University at 1 p.m. the same afternoon.