Montclair, N.J. (11/16/19) – The Kean University football team ended the 2019 season with a 40-12 defeat at Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon.

Kean struck first as Jemel Daniels stripped Ja'Quill Burch of the football on a sack with Dante Capozzoli recovering it and moving it to the MSU 25. Jesse Assare rushed for 17 yards on a pair of carries, the last a 13 yard scamper to the MSU 3. Tyrae Taylor then found Kyle Rooney for the touchdown as the Cougars led 6-0 with 9:45 to play in the first. Brennan Ray came up with a block on the extra point.

Montclair State would miss a chance at points later in the quarter on a missed field goal and then turned the ball over again deep in its own territory as Aaron Cottrell recovered a muffed punt at the MSU 27. But the Red Hawk defense would hold and then came up with a block of a 40-yard field goal attempt. Kason Campbell scooped up the ball and returned it to the Kean 41 and set up an eventual touchdown on the ensuing possession.

MSU extended its lead with just under a minute to go before halftime with a 28-yard field goal for a 10-6 lead at the break.

MSU's special teams helped the Red Hawks score two touchdowns in a 96-second span in the third quarter. Zahir Wilder blocked punt that was picked up by Jaier Garrett, who took it the final 26 yards for the score and a 24-6 advantage with just over 10 minutes left in the frame.

Trailing late, the Cougars would snap the Red Hawks' scoring run with five minutes left as Taylor hit Aubyn Bryan II for a 69-yard touchdown however Brennan Ray picked off the two-point conversion try and returned it for two points for the final margin.

Defensively Kory Kenny, Dietrich Trumbauer and Matt Milden each recorded eight tackles for Kean.