Union, N.J. (11/10/12) – Montclair State
University used a fourth quarter field goal to break a seven-all
tie and top the Kean University football team by the final of 10-7,
Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale for both.
With the win, MSU improves to .500 (5-5) with a 5-3 mark in NJAC
play. The loss drops Kean to 5-4 overall and 5-2 in the New
Jersey Athletic Conference.
In a game that featured five combined turnovers, scoring was at
a premium. The Red Hawks took advantage in their first
possession as sophomore Tariqu Turner combined for seven
rushes for 19 yards, but the big play of the drive came off a 48
yard grab from senior Drew Cathey to junior Kevin
Grady, putting MSU in the red zone. Cathey put points on
the board with a four yard strike to sophomore Nick
Cassetta and junior John Schubert finished with the
point after for a 7-0 lead.
The Cougars took their next possession into Montclair territory
thanks to a 15 yard gain from senior Darius
Kinney. Kean paced their way down into red zone
territory before a nine yard sack from junior Joe Koonce
forced the Cougars into a 4th and 15 from the 25 yard
line. Kean elected to go for it and the Cougars were
intercepted in the endzone by sophomore C.J. Conway to
stall the drive.
Neither team was able to get their offense going over the next
four drives, before Kean halted an MSU threat late in the second
quarter. With third and goal on the Kean three yard line,
sophomore David Ricca forced a fumble and senior
Chris VanFechtmann recovered, ending the scoring
threat.
Kean had their best scoring opportunity early in the third
quarter. Montclair State started off the half with the ball,
but just two plays into the drive, sophomore Matt
Clerk (pictured left) intercepted a Cathey pass, running
it back for 40 yards deep into MSU territory. The drive
stalled, however and a 35 yard field goal chance went wide left,
keeping the score at 7-0.
Senior Deandre Fowlkes set up good field
position for Kean on their next possession and the Cougars were
able to capitalize with seven points. Kinney picked up 12
yards on two rushes and senior Louis Haynes capped
off the drive with a diving catch in the end zone, a 15 yard pass
from junior Christian Bailoni.
The score would remain that way until the fourth quarter.
Deep in Kean territory, the Cougars were intercepted by junior
Matt Mancino who returned the ball 29 yards to the Kean 16
yard line. Kean's defense was able to halt the
touchdown threat, forcing a 27 yard field goal attempt for the Red
Hawks. MSU's Schubert, who coming into today's
action was only 1-of-9 in field goal attempts this season, nailed
the try, giving MSU what would be the deciding advantage.
The Cougars final attempt late in the game was halted as
sophomore Matt Recine forced a fumble and sophomore
William Merz recovered with just under two minutes to
go. With Kean out of timeouts, the Red Hawks were able to run
out the clock with the win.
Cathey was 10-of-17 for 148 yards and one touchdown. He
also threw one interception and was sacked once. Bailoni was
17-of-31 for 156 yards with one touchdown. He was sacked
twice and threw two picks on the day.
Defensively, sophomore Dan Barletta led the Red Hawks
with eight tackles, including one for a loss. For the
Cougars, senior Brad Higgins collected seven
tackles, with one for a loss.
