Seahawks down Red Hawks, 24-21

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (September 18, 2021) - Salve Regina University football improves to 3-0 on the season after building a 17-point lead and holding on for a 24-21 victory at Montclair State University at Sprague Field.

Quarterback Jack Maguire threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns while Joey Mauriello ran for 100 and a score as Salve Regina held off Montclair State, 31-24 at Sprague Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Seahawks built a 17-0 lead in the third quarter and held off a late comeback by the Red Hawks to remain unbeaten at 3-0.  Salve picked up its first win in Montclair in the eight all-time meetings. The Seahawks trail in the series, 5-3.

Running back Makai Mickens totaled 152 all-purpose yards and scored twice for Montclair, which fell to 0-3 on the season.  Mickens ran 18 times for 72 yards and had 10 catches for 80 yards.

The Seahawks got on the board late in the first quarter as Maguire found Hayden Hulme for a 35-yard touchdown with 1:09 left for a 7-0 lead. Salve Regina added to the score just before halftime as Chris Maida connected on a 27-yard field goal before building a 17-0 lead three plays in the second half on a Maguire to John Hannon touchdown from 35-yards out.

Returner Dan Ramos jump-started Montclair with a 42-yard run back on the ensuing kickoff. Ja'quill Burch hit Eric Cowan for eight yards on a 3rd-and-7 to keep the drive alive and the Red Hawks moved the ball to the Salve 4 when it faced a fourth-and-goal. Burch rolled out of the pocket and out-raced several defenders into the end zone for the touchdown cutting the deficit to 17-7 with 7:29 to play in the quarter.

Salve Regina answered with a 14-play, 55-yard drive capped by a Mauriello three-yard run as the Seahawks went back up 24-7 with 40 seconds remaining.

Salve gave Montclair State good field position with a short kickoff and the Red Hawks went to work quickly. Burch found Clarence Wilkins for 36 yards down the right sideline to the Salve 20. Mickens then went up the middle and broke free of several tacklers for the touchdown getting Montclair within 24-13 as the third quarter ended.

Midway through the fourth, safety Mike Ramos punched the ball loose near midfield, recovered by Brennan Ray giving MSU the ball at its own 47. Mickens and Burch traded rushes before a Mickens catch for eight yards pushed the ball to the Salve 29. On the next play, Mickens hauled in a short pass and pulled away for a 29-yard score inching MSU to 24-21 after Burch ran in for the two-point conversion.

The Red Hawks would get one last chance with 2:46 to play. Burch connected with Wilkins for 10 yards out to the MSU 44 and another 10-yard completion to Zahir Wilder put the ball at the Salve 46. Three straight attempts left Montclair with a 4th-and-12 from the Seahawks 48. On fourth down, Burch tried to his Cowan over the middle, but the ball was batted away by Zach Letellier ending the threat.