(BOX SCORE)
MONTCLAIR, NJ—Despite holding a 28-24 lead late in the third quarter, Buffalo State (0-6/0-5) was unable to pick up its first win of the season, falling 45-28 to host Montclair State (5-1/4-1) in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game today at Sprague Field.
The Bengals overcame an early 17-0 deficit to take the lead, but the Red Hawks scored the final 21 points over the closing 15 minutes, 28 seconds of the game to earn the victory.
Montclair outgained the Bengals 340-45 on the ground and 560-314 overall. Matt Jimenez led the Red Hawks ground attached with 192 yards on just 12 carries with two touchdowns. Jeff Bliss also passed the century mark with 110 yards on 24 carries. Quarterback Tom Fischer was 19 of 29 for 220 yards and four touchdowns. Dan Keegan led the receiving corps with six catches for 129 yards and two scores.
Freshman quarterback Kenny Murphy (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was impressive in his second start, going 15 of 28 for 269 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Joe Russell (N. Tonawanda, NY/N. Tonawanda) had his second-consecutive 100-yard receiving game, reeling in six passes 123 yards and two scores. Greg Meyer (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) added five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Scott Forster (E. Otto/Cattaraugus-Little Valley) led the Bengals' defense with 12 tackles and a forced fumble.
Leading 3-0 after the opening quarter, Montclair extended its lead to 17-0 with 1:15 remaining in the first half, setting up a wild finish to the opening 30 minutes. Buffalo State got on the board with a 54-yard scoring play from Murphy to Russell with 1:51 remaining. After a quick defensive stand, the Murphy connected with Russell again from 19 yards, just 32 seconds later, making the score 17-14. Montclair raced down the field, however, scoring on a 51-yards pass play from Fischer to Keegan with just four seconds remaining to leave the halftime score 24-14.
Murphy connected with Meyer on a 75-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, and then Sammy Smith (Buffalo/Hutch Tech) scored on a 2-yard run with 4:14 remaining in the third to give Buffalo State its first lead at 28-24.
Montclair regained the advantage with a 7-yard run by Jimenez in the closing second of the third quarter. The Red Hawks put the game away in with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a 37-yard scamper by Jimenez and a 4-yard reception by Jeff Papcun.
“We played hard again, but just did not finish the job,” said Buffalo State Coach Paul Shaffner. “We were too inconsistent on defense over the course of 60 minutes to hold onto the lead.”
Buffalo State will host Rowan next Saturday at noon.
