Kean Football spoils senior day for rival Montclair State University
By Angel Ospina| November 17, 2015
On the final game of the season Kean University’s football team wins a nail-biter against in-state rival Montclair University, 28-21.
The Cougars were down 21-20 with 4:19 remaining in the fourth quarter when they started their game winning drive from their own 23yard line.
Keans quarterback, Sophmore Charles App, put the cougars ahead of the Red Hawks with a two-yard touchdown run and then completed the drive with a 2-point conversion pass.
The 14 play, 77 yard drive, put the Cougars up 28-21 leaving the Red Hawks with only 8 seconds left in the game.
“We just had a lot of heart out there, said Kean linebacker Robert Meade III. “Everybody came to play today that was a big way to drive down and win the game in the last minute.”
Meade led the team with ten tackles in the victory.
In desperation Montclair through a hailmary that was intercepted by defensive back LeRon Dilliard to seal the victory for the Cougars.
Montclair started the game with a bang as they scored on their very first drive on a 54-yard TD run by Denzel Nieves, putting the Red Hawks up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
The Cougars quickly answered tying the game at 7-7 with a blocked punt that was recovered in the endzone for a touchdown by sophomore Matt Liparini.
After trading touchdowns the game was tied at the half 14-14.
The Cougars took their first lead when Aryeh Moslavi kicked a 20 yard field goal putting Kean up 17-14.
Montcair responded early in the fourth quarter with a 14 yard touchdown by John Distefano putting the Red Hawks up 21-17.
After another field goal by Moslavi, Keans defense needed to make stops to give their offense an opportunity to win the game.
“Whether it’s the last drive or the first drive you want to get the ball back for the offense and get them as many possessions as they can,” said Defensive Coordinator, Keith Migliorino. “ They stepped up big at the end.”
The Cougars relied on the run on their final drive as they did the entire game
“We picked up the pace like we always do and just ran the rock,” said Damian Corredor.
Kean rushed for 301 yards against Montclair with Corredor leading the rushing attack with 198 yards on his own.
Montclair turned the ball over a total of four times, which turned out to be the difference in the game.
The Cougars finish their regular season with a 7-3 record and now await a bid by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
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