(BOX SCORE)

MONTCLAIR, N.J.—Dan Keegan ad 232 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns to lead Montclair State (6-0/5-0), ranked 14th in the Division III coaches' poll, to a 35-20 victory over visiting Buffalo State (1-5/1-4) in an NJAC contest today at Sprague Field.

The Red Hawks never trailed, and piled up 430 total yards using several big plays. Buffalo State won the time of possession battle, holding the ball for more than 34 minutes, and totaled 365 yards. Tom Fischer was 13 of 18 for 290 yards and four touchdowns for Montclair. Keegan had six catches for 133 yards and had three kick returns for 99 yards.

Ryan Lehotsky (N. Royalton, OH/N. Royalton) had a solid day for the Bengals, going 18 of 29 for 221 yards and two scores. Manny Brooks (Auburn/Auburn) led the Buffalo State ground game, carrying the ball 11 times for 70 yards, while Matt Pagano (Walworth/Gananda) was the top receiver with seven catches for 67 yards. Matthew Krumm (Buffalo/Clarence) led the defense with eight tackles, and Kimani George (Brooklyn/William Grady) had four stops, including a sack.

Montclair opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Keegan set up a short field with a 45-yard punt return to the Bengals' 28. Keegan finished things off just three plays later when he caught a 13-yard strike from Fischer.

Buffalo State answered quickly, when Lehotsky hit Rob Smith (Rochester/McQuaid) for a 53-yard catch and run just four plays later. Montclair blocked the extra point attempt to retain a one-point lead.

Another long punt return by Keegan, this time covering 54 yards, game Montclair a drive start at the Bengals' 23 later in the first quarter. After a penalty, Matt Jimenez broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run and a one-play scoring drive. The Red Hawks extended their lead to 21-6 with the lone score of the second quarter, capitalizing on their third drive start in Buffalo State territory. This time they needed just three plays to find the end zone. After an incomplete pass and a run for no gain, Fischer connected with Keegan for a 39-yard touchdown.

Buffalo State marched 70 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 2-yard score by Lehotsky on a quarterback keeper to open the second half. Despite a second blocked extra point, the Bengals looked to carry the momentum by forcing a fumble just two plays later, taking over at the Montclair 33. The Bengals turned the ball back over on a fumble of their own just four plays later, however, and Montclair would regain control. Keegan scored his third touchdown of the day with a 26-yard reception later in the third quarter, and Joe LaSala caught a 46-yard scoring pass from Fischer in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 35-12.

The Bengals completed the scoring later in the fourth quarter with an impressive eight-play, 97-yard drive, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Lehotsky to Zachary Best (Henrietta/Rush-Henrietta). The Bengals added a two-point conversion on a run by Brooks.

“We played well against a very good team today,” said Buffalo State Head Coach Jerry Boyes. “We'll take a lot of positives out of this game, but we just gave up too many big plays to earn a victory.”

Buffalo State will host The College of New Jersey next Saturday at noon.