Montclair, NJ – Sophomore running back ABELLANY MENDEZ rushed 111 yards and two scores and also hauled in a touchdown catch as Montclair State captured the NJAC North Division title with a 28-0 victory over William Paterson at Sprague Field on Friday evening.
Wide receiver BRIAN KOWALCZYK also added a touchdown as the Red Hawks finished their abbreviated spring season at 2-1 with their first conference crown since 2014 when it shared the overall title with Rowan University and Morrisville State.
Junior linebacker Sean Maldonato totaled eight tackles and a sack for William Paterson (0-1), which returned to the field after having its two previous contests canceled.
Scoreless through the first 20 minutes of the game, Montclair State broke through on the scoreboard after the Pioneers failed to convert a fake punt. Spencer Lee misfired on the pass attempt giving the ball to MSU at the Pioneers 33. Mendez went 17 yards on the first play and added three more on a second run before bursting around the left side 13 yards for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 3:37 to go before halftime.
William Paterson turned the ball over on its next possession as ZACK ZACCONE knocked the ball loose from William Frese at the WPU 24 which was scooped up by DonatoCasolaro setting Montclair State up at the 22 following a penalty on the fumble return. A penalty against MSU denied Mendez a 17-yard touchdown reception, however, he would get it back two plays later with a five-yard catch and run as Montclair led 14-0 with 11 seconds left.
Leading by 14 at halftime, Zaccone provided the big play to start the second half, picking off a Lee pass as the MSU 40 and returning it 51 yards to the William Paterson 9. Mendez ran eight yards on the first play and scampered in untouched on the next snap extending the Red Hawks advantage to 21-0 a minute into the third.
MSU capped its scoring with four minutes left in the third, as it marched 35 yards in 12 plays after William Paterson failed to convert a fourth down at the MSU 35. After failing to gain a first down, the Red Hawks were forced to punt, however, WPU was called for an illegal substitution keeping the drive alive. After the penalty, MakaiMickens ran for 14 yards, and completion from JA'QUILL BURCH to Kowalczyk for 10 yards pushed the ball to the WPU 28. Mendez ran for 17 yards and two runs by Mickens put Montclair on the doorstep at the 1. MSU pulled off some razzle-dazzle with Kowalczyk taking a pitch on the reverse for the touchdown with 4:03 left.
Mickens added 72 yards on 12 carries for MSU, which rushed for 181 yards in the contest. Burch was 10-of-19 for 89 yards with MATT SPATUCCI pulling in four catches for 31 yards. Aidens Georges finished with eight tackles while Ray picked up two sacks.
Senior IAN JOHNSON connected on two extra-points in his first and only game for Montclair State. Johnson was an All-Conference selection for the Red Hawks men's soccer team the past four years helping MSU to consecutive NJAC and NCAA Elite 8 appearances. The senior, one of seven honored before the game, was named All-Conference as a diver and broke his school mark in the one-meter event.
Montclair St. Blanks WPU to Win NJAC North Title, 28-0
/seasons/2020/boxscores/20210402_l0rj.xml
2020
William Paterson
0
Montclair State
28
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Paterson (0-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Montclair State (2-1) | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
Apr 02, 2021