MONTCLAIR, N.J. (10/8/22) – Robbie Nungesser threw a touchdown pass to Dazzy Iannuzzio with 45 seconds remaining as the Kean University football team rallied from a 16 point deficit in the first half to earn their first New Jersey Athletic Conference victory with a 23-22 victory over Montclair State University at Sprague Field on Saturday evening.

Nungesser collected 203 yards of total offense and accounted for three touchdowns as the Cougars improve to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the NJAC. Mason Murdock totaled 223 passing yards and two touchdowns for the Red Hawks who fall to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the NJAC.

MSU jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first half on a 30-yard punt return, a 28-yard field goal, and a 77-yard pass. Kean finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter, when Nungesser scored on a five-yard run which capped off a 10-play, 78-yard drive.

Montclair attempted to extend their lead just before halftime but missed a 32-yard field goal and the Cougars trailed 16-6 at halftime.

In the third, Logan Matthews connected on a 35-yard field goal, but the Red Hawks tallied their second touchdown pass of the evening for a 22-9 lead entering the fourth.

In the fourth, the Kean defense forced MSU to punt four times and the Cougars scored on their final two possessions to complete the comeback. Kean cut the Red Hawk lead to 22-16 with 7:42 remaining after a three-play 66-yard drive. On that drive, Nungesser completed two passes to Jason Carlock, before the quarterback ran the ball in from six yards out.

After an MSU punt, Kean took over with 5:23 remaining. Nungesser completed passes to Iannuzzio and Patrick Beltran which set up the Cougars in the Redzone. The junior found the sophomore for the eventual game-winner.

The Red Hawks had one more chance but were intercepted by Javohn Arrington on the final drive.  

Nungesser went 21-for-49 with 173 yards in the air and rushed nine times for 30 yards. Carlock made eight receptions for 114 yards, while Iannuzzio made eight catches for 42 yards.

On defense, Meir Pittman totaled 10 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Nas Neal recorded seven tackles, while Kervin Coleman, Nick Sura, and Aaron Cottrell all posted six tackles apiece.

Head Coach Dan Garrett and the Cougars will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 15^th, hosting the Captains of Christopher Newport University at 12:00 p.m.