Buffalo State Uses Fast Start to Defeat Montclair State (Football)
BUFFALO, NY - Buffalo State recorded its first win of the season as they scored the games first 21 points in a 21-14 victory over Montclair State today at Coyer Field.
The Bengals drove 83 yards on their opening possession, capped off by a 20-yard touchdown reception by TJ Cottrell from Nick Stepien. Eric Buchanan's extra point gave Buffalo State a 7-0 lead. Buffalo State extended its lead to 14-0 with 10:44 to play in the second quarter when Ahmir Cole ripped a 23-yard run to the endzone. The Bengals struck again with 1:52 to play in the first half, when HT Williams hauled in a 49-yard Stepien pass to give the Bengals a 21-point advantage.
Montclair State needed just 42 seconds to get on the board, however, as the Red Hawks found the endzone when Brian Reitmeyer took a pass from John DiGirolamo eight yards to cut into deficit, 21-7.
The Red Hawks looked to continue the rally in the second half, but big plays by the Bengals defense stymied the comeback bid as Buffalo State forced three turnovers in the final 30 minutes. Montclair State turned the ball over five times on the day, compared to Buffalo State's two.
Montclair did add a late score when Jermarl Buie plunged across the goal line with 5:07 remaining to make the score 21-14. After a stalled Buffalo State possession, the Montclair offense took over on its own six yard-line and ultimately turned the ball over on downs, handing the Bengals the 21-14 win.
Stepien was 8-for-18 for 140 yard with two touchdowns for the Bengals, and Curtis Hathcock led the ground attack with 14 carries for 94 yards. Freshman HT Williams reeled in three catches for a career-high 92 yards. Andy O'Hara recorded a pair of sacks and John Lesure grabbed his first interception of the season.
Montclair was led offensively by DiGirolamo's 373 yards, going 28-for-61. The rookie quarterback set the Red Hawks single season record for passing yards for a freshman with 1,727. Eric Magrini caught 11 balls for 174 yards and became Montclair State's all-time leading receiver with 3,022 yards. Adam Cerminaro and Kevin Migliorino paced the Red Hawks defense with 12 tackles each.
Buffalo State is now 1-6 and will play at Case Western next Saturday. Montclair State falls to 3-4, and will host the College of New Jersey next week.
- BENGALS -
The Bengals drove 83 yards on their opening possession, capped off by a 20-yard touchdown reception by TJ Cottrell from Nick Stepien. Eric Buchanan's extra point gave Buffalo State a 7-0 lead. Buffalo State extended its lead to 14-0 with 10:44 to play in the second quarter when Ahmir Cole ripped a 23-yard run to the endzone. The Bengals struck again with 1:52 to play in the first half, when HT Williams hauled in a 49-yard Stepien pass to give the Bengals a 21-point advantage.
Montclair State needed just 42 seconds to get on the board, however, as the Red Hawks found the endzone when Brian Reitmeyer took a pass from John DiGirolamo eight yards to cut into deficit, 21-7.
The Red Hawks looked to continue the rally in the second half, but big plays by the Bengals defense stymied the comeback bid as Buffalo State forced three turnovers in the final 30 minutes. Montclair State turned the ball over five times on the day, compared to Buffalo State's two.
Montclair did add a late score when Jermarl Buie plunged across the goal line with 5:07 remaining to make the score 21-14. After a stalled Buffalo State possession, the Montclair offense took over on its own six yard-line and ultimately turned the ball over on downs, handing the Bengals the 21-14 win.
Stepien was 8-for-18 for 140 yard with two touchdowns for the Bengals, and Curtis Hathcock led the ground attack with 14 carries for 94 yards. Freshman HT Williams reeled in three catches for a career-high 92 yards. Andy O'Hara recorded a pair of sacks and John Lesure grabbed his first interception of the season.
Montclair was led offensively by DiGirolamo's 373 yards, going 28-for-61. The rookie quarterback set the Red Hawks single season record for passing yards for a freshman with 1,727. Eric Magrini caught 11 balls for 174 yards and became Montclair State's all-time leading receiver with 3,022 yards. Adam Cerminaro and Kevin Migliorino paced the Red Hawks defense with 12 tackles each.
Buffalo State is now 1-6 and will play at Case Western next Saturday. Montclair State falls to 3-4, and will host the College of New Jersey next week.
- BENGALS -
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu