Montclair State University’s annual homecoming football game this Saturday is shaping up to be one to remember.
In an eventful day that will be filled with art shows, barbecues, special student talent performances and many more exciting events, the icing on the cake will be held at Sprague Field as Montclair State football hosts Union College at 5 p.m.
After a rough loss at Franklin & Marshall, the Red Hawks look to bounce back in a major way vs Union College – a team that gave the Red Hawks fits in the prior season.
Currently sitting with a 1-1 record, the Red Hawks would love to not only leave homecoming weekend with a win but enter their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) schedule with a winning record. In order to do so, they will need some key players to step up and show out.
Montclair State is looking to win their second homecoming weekend game in a row.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca Photo credit: Matt DeLuca
A key player who fans can always count on to shine when the lights are brightest is none other than the reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, senior linebacker Nicholas Burgess. In last season’s homecoming game, Burgess led the team with 12 tackles and caught an interception in a 42-7 blowout win vs TCNJ. Burgess, who currently leads the team in tackles with 18, looks to do more of the same Saturday afternoon.
Another impact player who some may not be familiar with currently is junior defensive back Ryan Visalli. In just two games, Visalli has surpassed the total number of tackles (14) he had all of last season (11).
Junior defensive back Ryan Visalli looks to have another standout performance this Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca Photo credit: Matt DeLuca
In the season opener, Visalli was nothing short of spectacular. He recorded nine tackles, an interception and a defensive touchdown on a blocked punt in a 27-26 victory.
Visalli’s superb play not only put the NJAC, but the whole country, on notice. According to D3football.com, Visalli was one of seven NJAC players to be recognized nationally for Team of the Week – an astonishing feat considering there are 240 Division III schools in the country. With just one full season under his belt, it is fair to say that the best is yet to come for Visalli.
Offensively, it is uncertain if the Red Hawks will be with or without their stellar first team All-NJAC junior running back Henry Lewis. Lewis is a key cog in igniting the Red Hawks’ offense. Currently dealing with a lower-body injury that sidelined him from most of the previous game, it was clear that his presence was missed.
Junior running back Henry Lewis carries the ball against Gettysburg College.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca Photo credit: Matt DeLuca
In the season opener when Lewis was healthy, the Red Hawks ran for a total of 153 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt, as opposed to a total of 60 yards on 2.5 yards per attempt in last week’s loss vs. Franklin & Marshall. If Lewis is sidelined again on Saturday, it will be imperative for senior running back Jimmy Pepe and sophomore running back Christopher Arnold to step up in his absence.
To coincide with the key players to look out for Saturday afternoon, it is important to note that the Red Hawks are on the brink of history. Presently, the Red Hawks’ win total sits at 498 all-time, and they need two more to reach 500. There have not been many NJAC, let alone New Jersey college football teams who have reached the 500 win plateau. Also, Union College defeated Montclair State in convincing fashion last year, so what better way to wrap homecoming than with some revenge and win number 499.
