Rowan Football Defeats Montclair State, 16-10, in OT on Homecoming and "Breakfast Bowl"
Monday, November 04, 2024
After neither team scored on its first possessions of overtime, Rowan had the ball first in the next series. Riina connected with Hoke, but the Profs couldn't convert the two-point conversion. Rowan's defense then sealed the win, stopping Montclair State (3-5; 1-4 NJAC) despite two penalties that gave the Red Hawks' extra chances. Montclair State got to the seven-yard line but three straight passes were off the mark.
Tyshawn Bookman rushed for a career-high 121 yards to lead Rowan and In the first start of his career, Riina completed 15-for-30 for 164 yards and passed for one touchdown and ran in another. Hoke scored a touchdown in his second consecutive game.
Rowan (4-4; 2-2 NJAC) held a 10-7 lead with :26 remaining in the fourth after Tommy Laperriere converted a 19-yard field goal. But MSU used two runs by Aidan McLaughlin and with :02 remaining, Greg Casimir hit a 49-yard field goal to force overtime, 10-10.
The game was scoreless until 10:07 of the third quarter when Rowan broke through. Quarterback Joseph Riina led a 10-play, 51-yard drive and ran it in from one-yard out for the first score of the game, putting the Profs up, 7-0.
On Montclair State's next possession, the Red Hawks drove to the two, but a personal foul sent them back 10 yards and their field-goal attempt missed, as Shamar Love tipped it.
Trailing 7-0 since the third quarter, Montclair State tied the game, 7-7, with 5:46 remaining in the fourth when Anthony Roige caught a nine-yard pass from McLaughlin, completing a 72-yard drive.
Defensively, Chris Rodgers and Nick Cerulli had eight tackles each for Rowan, including 1.0 sack apiece. Eric Bryant had two interceptions and AJ Kirvin picked off one pass on Montclair State's first possession in overtime.
Rowan received the perpetual "Breakfast Bowl" trophy and the popular breakfast food is to be called "Pork Roll" for the calendar year until the next game. Contributions were taken at the game to benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, at the Egg Harbor and Hillside locations.
Rowan plays its final home game of the year on Saturday, November 9, when the Profs host Kean for "Senior Day" at 1 p.m.