Montclair, NJ … Montclair State University scored 21 points in the opening quarter and made it stand as they captured a 21-7 victory over The College of New Jersey football team on its Homecoming Day in Montclair, NJ.
 
The Lions' defense held the Red Hawk scoreless over the final three quarters of play and just 36 total yards in the second half. But the TCNJ offense could only get one touchdown back despite having a 10-minute advantage in time of possession in the contest.
 
The scoring was fast and furious in the opening minutes of the contest, and before the Lions could catch their breath, they trailed 21-0. Julanee Prince caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from John Apicella just 3:18 into the game. Just over a minute later, Joe Falato sacked TCNJ quarterback Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) and forced a fumble that was picked up by Red Hawk Nick Volpe. He rumbled 22 yards into the end zone to make it a 14-0 lead.
 
Montclair running back John DiStefano was handed the ball seven times on an 11-play drive that culminated with a DiStefano TD run from six yards out to stretch it to a 21-point advantage.
 
The Lions finally got their legs under them on defense and the offense found a rhythm in the second quarter. Osler connected with junior wide receiver Thomas Koenig (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) on gains of 9, 11, and 12 yards to put TCNJ at the Red Hawks 29-yard line. A pass interference call and an eight-yard rushing gain by Chad Scott (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) put the Lions on the MSU 2. The Red Hawks were determined to make a stand, but Osler punched it in on fourth-and-goal to put TCNJ on the board.
 
That turned out to be the final score of the contest. The Lions did get deep into MSU territory on their opening drive of the second half. A 29-yard kickoff return by senior Jeff Mattonelli (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) followed by a 31-yard dash by Scott put TCNJ on the Red Hawk 26. Scott chewed up six more yards later in the drive to get to the 13-yard line. A rush for a loss and two incomplete passes made it fourth down and the Lions went for it. But Osler's pass to junior Gabriel Rios (Union, NJ/Union) fell incomplete and the ball was turned over on downs.
 
The defense held DiStefano, the top rusher in the NJAC, in check in the second half,
Scott gained over 100 yards for the second time this season. He rushed the ball 22 times for 105 yards, while junior Khani Glover (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) gained 48 yards on eight carries. Koenig finished with five catches for 41 yards, and sophomore Jesse Streb (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) led TCNJ with seven tackles.
 
The Lions will host William Paterson University next Saturday, October 29 on Homecoming Day. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. in Lions Stadium.