Montclair State Falls to Rowan in First Annual Breakfast Bowl

Written by Tim “TJD” David

Published on November 6, 2024

GLASSBORO, NJ- On the afternoon of Saturday, November 4, the First Annual Breakfast Bowl was held between the Montclair State University RedHawks and the Rowan University Profs. The Breakfast bowl was an idea put together by Montclair State head coach Mike Palazzo and Rowan head coach Pat Ruley to assist efforts in fighting food insecurities. Both schools partnered with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to collect donations to help with the food insecurity problem across New Jersey. The winning team would bring back home the Breakfast Bowl trophy and would give the winning team the bragging rights to the Pork Roll vs Taylor Ham debate, the ongoing North Jersey vs South Jersey feud

As it got closer to game time, you could feel the energy from both sides as the Red Hawks and Profs faced off for the 63rd time. Rowan won the coin toss, electing to defer for the second half. 

Both teams started the game going three and out on their first drives. Rowan did have a chance to take the lead in the first half on their second drive of the game with a 41-yard field goal attempt, but it was missed by Rowan kicker Tommy Laperriere, keeping the game knotted up at 0-0.

Montclair, following the missed field goal by Rowan, stormed down the field with great runs from RB Henry Lewis and QB Aidan McLaughlin. Rowan was able to force a turnover on downs, killing the MSU momentum. The first half continued to be very defensive, and going into halftime, the score remained at 0-0.

Coming out of halftime, Rowan scored on their first drive of the second half with a Joseph Riina 1-yard run for a touchdown. The extra point was good for Tommy Laperriere putting Rowan up 7-0. Montclair State in the following possession, drove all the way to the two yard line.However, a personal foul call sent them back 10 yards, taking the momentum out of a great Red Hawks drive. Montclair State ended up missing the field goal as it was tipped by the Profs defensive back Shamar Love,and the score stayed stagnant at 7-0 Rowan.

Montclair State finally got on the board, tying the game at 7 with 5:46 remaining in the 4th quarter on a nine yard pass by McLaughlin to wide receiver Anthony Roige. 

Following the game-tying touchdown, Rowan took the lead on a field goal with 26 seconds left from Tommy Laperriere, and the Profs were up 10-7

Following the field goal from Rowan, Montclair’s running back Donovan Swasey put the Redhawks in a solid position with a 32 yard kickoff return. QB Aidan McLaughlin used his legs to get into field goal range. Greg Casimir, who hit field goals from 50 and 53 yards in the Hinchliffe Classic, rocketed home a field goal to tie the game at 10, and sent it to overtime.

Montclair started with the ball in overtime and was set up on the 10 yard line after a 15 yard penalty was called on Rowan on the kickoff at the end of regulation. The Redhawks failed to score on the first drive of overtime as the Profs came up with an interception. 

The Profs failed to score on their possession as they missed a 30 yard game winning field goal. On their following drive they were able to take the lead back on a 5 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joseph Riina to wide receiver Luke Hoke. Rowan did not convert on the mandatory 2-point conversion, and the score was 16-10 Profs

Montclair set up needing to score on the next drive to have a shot to try and tie or potentially win the game. MSU was set up at the 7 yard line, but three straight incompletions by Montclair ended the game, 16-10 Rowan final.

For Montclair, it sends them to 3-5, and 1-4 in the conference. Even worse for the Red Hawks, they now have to call it Pork Roll until they get a shot at the Profs next season.

Montclair State will play their final home game of the regular season next week against Christopher Newport at 1 P.M.

Catch all the action right here on WMSC.