COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES: Montgomery strikes in Florida’s win over Ole Miss
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On the big stage, London Montgomery proved to be a factor at the national power collegiate football level.
A former dynamic high school running back at Scranton Prep, Montgomery had two electrifying kickoff returns for Florida in a 52-28 win over Ole Miss in a Southeastern Conference showcase of ranked teams last week.
His performance earned him the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honor. This week, the eighth-ranked Gators’ play at No. 25 Missouri on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
In the win over Ole Miss, Montgomery returned three kickoffs for 128 yards. His 74-yard return was the best for the Gators since Solomon Patten in 2013.
“We take a lot of pride in special teams,” Montgomery said Tuesday. “(There’s) not one guy not taking it seriously. Special teams at Florida is a big thing.”
Montgomery, who started his career at Penn State and played last season as a starting running back at East Carolina, has embraced his role on special teams while a part of a deep running back room that includes Heisman Trophy candidate Jaden Baugh (605 yards) and Duke Clark (263 yards).
The Baugh-Clark duo combined for 270 rushing yards against Ole Miss.
As dominant as the running game was, Montgomery’s lightning strikes in the return game helped stave off Ole Miss’ comeback attempts.
Ole Miss closed within 17-14 at 12:55 of the third quarter. Montgomery took the ensuing kickoff back to the Florida 41, setting up a Clark touchdown run, pushing the lead to 24-14.
“The wedge did a fantastic job of setting that up,” Montgomery said. “It was just wide. They blocked it out, and they pinned their guys. I ran through. I hadn’t seen the kicker. I tried to, we say, treat the kickers with disrespect, and I tried to run him over, but it didn’t work out too well. It was a good return to get the offense started, so I was excited about that.”
Trinidad Chambliss scored on a 10-yard run to cap a 14-play drive for Ole Miss, making it 24-21. Montgomery flashed that PIAA-medal-winning speed and sprinted 74 yards to the Ole Miss 26. Three plays later, Florida quarterback Aaron Philo scored on a 1-yard run.
“I didn’t think they were going to kick it to me again,” Montgomery said. “It was a boundary return. I got it, the wedge did a fantastic job. Everybody got their block. I had to make the kicker miss, and there was just that sideline. I had to use my speed to get there. Without the guys blocking, I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”
Florida dominated the rest of the way, outscoring Ole Miss, 21-7, for a statement win. Baugh scored the Gators’ final touchdown on a 2-yard run. He followed the lead block of Lakeland graduate Lakota Dippre in a play that resembled his game-sealing touchdown run against Auburn.
Dippre, a tight end, made his fourth straight start for the Gators and played 44 snaps. He had a PFF blocking grade of 72.0. He has played 114 snaps and has two kickoff returns for 30 yards this season.
• Stanford tight end Aiden Black (Delaware Valley) saw action in a 34-27 win over Georgia Tech last week. The 6-4, 245-pound junior has played in 19 career games and made two starts this season. The Cardinal (2-2) play at Wake Forest (3-1) on Saturday at noon at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in an Atlantic Coast Conference game broadcast on the ACC Network.
• Pittsburgh tight end Adam Howanitz (Valley View) played against his father’s alma mater, Bucknell, in a 59-0 win last week. Old Forge graduate Anthony Trotta is in his first season as a defensive line coach at Bucknell University. Pitt improved to 4-0 overall and will play at Virginia Tech (4-0) on Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Marino at Long Island
Gianni Marino, a Valley View graduate and former Lackawanna College linebacker, has found a role at Long Island University.
A 6-foot-4, 245-pound sophomore, Marino is a tight end for the Sharks, who compete in the Northeast Conference (NEC) at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision level. He caught an 8-yard pass against Kansas on Sept. 4. He also had a catch for zero yards against Albany and hauled in a 15-yard reception against Villanova.
Marino also had two tackles against Kansas.
Long Island University (0-5) hosts Mercyhurst on Saturday at noon.
Misericordia rolling
Misericordia improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the Middle Atlantic Conference with a 15-14 win over Albright last week.
Jordan Chmielewski (Mid Valley) had two tackles for the Cougars. The 5-9, 170-pound junior defensive back has seven total tackles and two pass breakups this season. He has played in 23 games, has a 29-yard punt return for a touchdown (2025), and has 58 tackles.
• Lackawanna College lost its fourth straight game to start the season, falling 51-0 to East Stroudsburg last week. David Naniewicz (Lakeland) completed 8 of 17 for 56 yards, and defensive back Billy Maloney (Scranton) had six tackles for the Falcons. The Falcons host Bloomsburg University (3-1) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium. Freshman Reagan Decker (Delaware Valley) is a kickoff specialist, and Jon Seamans (Lakeland) is a senior receiver for the Huskies.
• King’s College earned an 18-13 win over Widener last week. Connor Hughes (Mid Valley) had two tackles, and redshirt freshman Nick Jackson (Mid Valley) contributed a tackle for the Monarchs.
• Wilkes University lost to Monclair State, 26-9, last week. Daniel Pigga (Dunmore) had five yards on three carries and two catches for 30 yards; Rob Barbieri (Pittston Area) had seven tackles; and Nathan Reuther (Dunmore) had two tackles for the Colonels. Wilkes (1-2) plays at Juniata College on Saturday at noon in a Landmark Conference game.
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