MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The TCNJ football team was defeated at Montclair State, 42-7, to open up NJAC play on Saturday evening.

The Lions (1-3, 0-1 NJAC) couldn't overcome consecutive special teams and defensive scores by the Red Hawks (2-2, 1-0 NJAC) early in the first quarter, as momentum swung the home team's way en route to the lopsided defeat.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks began the first quarter with a quick 21-0 lead just eight minutes into the game. After an opening drive touchdown, the home team came up with a blocked field goal attempt on special teams that was returned for a touchdown and immediately followed with a pick-six on defense.
• With less than a minute to go in the first quarter, the Lions finally found a defensive spark of their own when a big fourth-down hit was made by defensive back Amir Vick, forcing the Red Hawks offense off the field at the Lions' 29-yard line.
• The Lions offense followed up the huge fourth-down stop with a 12-play, 61-yard drive to start the second period; however, the drive halted at the Red Hawks' 21 after a 4th-and-6 pass from Trevor Bopp fell incomplete.
• Montclair State responded three possessions later with two quick touchdowns from quarterback Andrew Sanborn to give open up a 35-0 halftime lead.
• Late in the third quarter, the Lions stopped the Red Hawks short on a 4th-and-7 from the home team's own 40-yard line. The blue and gold immediately followed up with an eight-play, 35-yard touchdown drive to prevent a potential Montclair State shutout as Jayson Schmidt punched the ball into the end zone on a 2-yard run.
• The fourth quarter saw Montclair State score the final touchdown of the game on a passing touchdown.

FOR THE FOES

• Sanborn completed 20-of-26 attempts (76.9%) for 205 yards and four touchdowns
• Sherrod Cooper finished with four pass breakups alongside one interception and six tackles

FOR THE LIONS

• Schmidt led the run game with 49 yards on nine carries (5.4 YPC) and added three receptions for 25 yards
• Ryan Gill (3-58), Jake McKown (4-51), Malin Jasinski (6-45), and Ryan McKinney (4-32) headlined a crew of nine Lions to catch a pass
• Jasinski has 14 receptions for 99 yards in the last two games
• Dylan Patscher recorded a sack
• Despite the score, TCNJ had nearly 100 yards more total offense than the Red Hawks (405-315) and ran 88 plays to the hosts' 51
• The Lions only punted once and went 8-for-15 on third downs, but had five different drives end on downs

NOTES

• Bobby Wortman's extra point brings him within just one point of 100 for his career

UP NEXT
The Lions return home to Lions Stadium next Saturday to host Rowan. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 P.M.