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Ewing, NJ ... The College of New Jersey football team will be back on the gridiron in search of its first victory of the 2016 campaign. The Lions hope to play the role of spoiler when they visit Montclair State University this Saturday on their Homecoming Day.

The meeting between the two programs is the 84th overall and remains the oldest active collegiate football rivarly in the state of New Jersey. TCNJ came out on top in the 83rd game between the two schools last season on Homecoming Day in Ewing, NJ. That game also broke a five-game losing streak for TCNJ and sparked a four-game winning streak to finish out the season. Head Coach Rocky Hager would like nothing more than to follow that same path and rattle off a succession of wins to close out 2016.

There were some positives to point to in last week's performance against Frostburg State University. The Lions posted a season-high in total yards last week, gaining 254 yards and registering 18 first downs. Trevor Osler connected with wide receiver Jeff Mattonelli in the end zone to cap a 10-play, 80-yard drive for TCNJ. Mattonelli and tight end Chase Vena each finished with four receptions in the game. On the defensive side, Abdelrahman Ragab added to his statistical totals by sacking the quarterback for a loss of 10 yards and defensive back Drew Dickison picked off a pass for the second straight week and returned this one 17 yards.

The Red Hawks are 3-3 overall this season. They have not won two straight games, nor have they lost two straight. MSU is coming off a tough, 28-21 overtime loss to Christopher Newport University last week, which disrupted their chances of competing for a conference title. Montclair running back John DiStefano is having a tremendous senior season and leads the NJAC in rushing yards gained at 770 and also tops the league in average yards rushed per game at 128.3. He churned out 135 rushing yards last week against the Captains and scored a pair of touchdowns, giving him eight on the season. Julanee Prince caught his fourth touchdown of the season, hauling in a 50-yard from quarterback Ryan Adzima.

If the score remains tight entering the final quarter of play, the Lions need to raise their level of play in finishing out the game. TCNJ has struggled in the fourth quarter and has been outscored 58-7. Montclair has exerienced its greatest success in the final 15 minutes, outnumbering their opponents 48-20.

Following the match-up with the Red Hawks, TCNJ will take on another in-state rival on its own Homecoming Day. William Paterson University will visit campus next Saturday, October 29 for a NJAC contest slated for 2 p.m. The Pioneers are 2-4 this season and travel to Southern Virginia University this Saturday.