Six of New Jersey’s college football teams were in action on Oct. 10, with Monmouth and Rutgers having the week off. Princeton, Rowan, Montclair State, and TCNJ enjoyed wins over the weekend while Kean and FDU-Florham found themselves on the losing end of their contests.
Team of the Week – Montclair State
The Red Hawks from Montclair State dominated William Paterson to improve to 2-1 in NJAC play and 4-1 overall this season. They scored 28 points in the second quarter and never looked back, winning the game 42-0. It was Montclair’s first shutout since April 2, 2021, when the Red Hawks blanked William Paterson, 28-0 at home. The Red Hawks are off to its best start since 2018, when the team started 5-0 to start its campaign. Montclair will host its toughest test of the season, facing #10/#13 Christopher Newport on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.
Offensive Player of the Week – WR TJ Kachala, Montclair State
Junior wide receiver TJ Kachala finished with six receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns to spark the Red Hawks offense in their 42-0 win over William Paterson. His 181 yards is the fifth-best receiving yards performance in program history. Last season, Kachala had 192 yards in a game against Salisbury.
Defensive Player of the Week – LB Noah Croutch, TCNJ
TCNJ received a monster game from junior linebacker Noah Croutch, helping the Lions to a 38-23 win over Castleton. Croutch tallied 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two and a half sacks to lead the TCNJ defense. Croutch’s 2.5 sacks are the most by a Lion since Brandon Kuse did it against Franklin & Marshall in 2024, while the four tackles for loss mark the most since Nick Celli registered that same tally against Christopher Newport in 2022.
Special Teams Player of the Week – P Zack Burlingame, Rowan
The Profs freshman punter punted six times in Rowan’s 26-21 win over #12 Salisbury. His six punts went for 263 yards, an average of 43.8 per kick. One punt landed inside the 20 yard line. His longest punt of the game was a 54 yarder.
Other Notable Performances
- Kean QB Ty Kline was 21 of 37 for 247 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He added 48 yards rushing and another touchdown.
- Montclair State QB Luke Henrich was 10 of 17 for 227 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another 64 yards rushing.
- Montclair State RB Diante Wilson ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
- Princeton RB Kai Honda ran for 103 yards and two scores on 22 carries.
- Rowan RB Nigel Jennings finished with 80 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.
- Princeton WR Josh Robinson brought in five receptions for 84 yards.
- Kean WR duo Christian Bujno (5 catches, 63 yards) and Sal Marchione (3 catches, 62 yards, TD).
- Princeton WR Josh Smith grabbed three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown
- Rowan WR Michael Zarfati had 61 yards on six receptions.
- Kean LB Luke Pettersen: 13 tackles
- Kean LB Noah Mammeri: 10 tackles
- Kean SS Stevenson Memo: 7 tackles and an interception
- Rowan LB Xavier McBride: 10 tackles and a forced fumble
- Princeton LB Chase Christopher: 9 tackles
Game Results
Montclair State 42, William Paterson 0
#24 Rowan 26, #12 Salisbury 21
TCNJ 38, Castleton 23
Princeton 28, Wagner 13
Delaware Valley 44, FDU-Florham 0
#13 Christopher Newport 31, Kean 20
