The Rowan University Profs visited their rival Montclair State Red Hawks this past Saturday for the second annual breakfast bowl. The last time these two teams played was the first annual breakfast bowl where Rowan won at home in overtime 16-10. Entering this matchup Montclair State won on the road against Kean during their own homecoming 38-28. Rowan lost their previous matchup at home in a 2OT shootout against Christopher Newport 49-41.
The Breakfast Bowl for those that are new to it is a week long charity event which supports the Red Hawk Pantry. It aimed to raise $6,400 to help meet increased food demand, hygiene, and essentials for the $25,000 plus Montclair students. Fans also decided which side they were on with t-shirts whether it was pork roll (Rowan) or taylor ham (Montclair).
This rivalry entered its 64th matchup and Montclair is leading the series all time 36-27. It was time for kickoff as Rowan started the scoring early. Just 2:30 minutes (QB) Nate Maiers found (WR) Michael Zarfati into the endzone for the touchdown. Both teams would punt on their next drives. The Red Hawks had possession next in another short drive (QB) Luke Henrich ran for the touchdown. Montclair and Rowan would punt again and at the end of the first quarter it was 7-7. The Profs continued their drive in the second quarter as Maiers found Zarfati for 32 yards at the end of the 1st quarter. (RB) Nunes Bukula IV ran for 6 yards to be 2nd and 4. (QB2) Matt Wesley the backup Quarterback ran into the endzone for the touchdown.
Montclair had the next drive as (RB) Diante Wilson ran for 37 yards to get into Prof’s territory. Diante Wilson was leading the team in rushing yards entering this game. On 4th and 7 (K) Roger Rubinetti kicked it in from 30 yards. Rowan also tried for a field goal but it was missed by (K) Greg Casimir. Montclair got it started next as Henrich found (WR) Khalil Forbes for a 14 yard gain. The two would connect a play later as Henrich found Forbes for 32 yards. Diante Wilson ran the distance once again for a 24 yard touchdown. Rowan couldn’t capitalize at the end of the second quarter. Montclair was up 18-15 at halftime.
The second half would be a complete shift in favor of the Rowan Profs. Both teams would punt away within their first two possessions in the third quarter. Luke Henrich had his pass picked off by (DB) AJ Ryker which ended up as a pick-six. Casimir made the field goal and Rowan was now in front 22-18. Rowan had possession again after Montclair punted as Nunes Bukula IV ran for 32 yards for another Rowan touchdown.
At the end of the third quarter Rowan was up 29-18. In the fourth quarter at 4th and 4 Greg Casimir nailed a 51 yard field goal to extend the Rowan lead. The Redhawks would fumble as (DB) CJ Carter from Rowan picked it up. Luke Henrich a drive later went surgical as he found Forbes for a 26 yard gain. At the Rowan 1 yard line, Diante Wilson would score a touchdown. Montclair decided to go for a two-point conversion. TJ Kachala threw a pass to (RB) Christopher Arnold for the touchdown. Rowan would go on to win 38-26.
Montclair had a second half collapse as they got outscored 23-8. In the third quarter everything went wrong as Montclair would have -9 rushing yards and only 2 passing yards. The offense and defense struggled in the second half. Rowan next plays William Paterson at home for Homecoming on Saturday October 18 at 2 p.m. Montclair State next plays against No. 5 Salisbury at home Saturday October 18 at 12 p.m. The final score was 38-26 in favor of Rowan in the second annual Breakfast Bowl.
