Montclair, NJ - The Montclair State University football team will host the second edition of the annual "Breakfast Bowl" on Saturday, October 11 at Sprague Field against Rowan University.
Created in 2024, "The Breakfast Bowl" was started as a new twist to a long-standing in-state rivalry as both teams raised funds to help fight food insecurity in the state of New Jersey while also having fans settle the debate of "Pork Roll" (Rowan) or "Taylor Ham" (Montclair).
For Montclair State fans looking to participate, the Breakfast Bowl Campaign is a week-long fundraising initiative supporting the Red Hawk Pantry at Montclair State University. With more than 25,000 students on the Montclair and Bloomfield campuses, the goal is to raise $6,400 to ensure that the growing demand for food, hygiene products, and other essentials can be met.
Montclair State Donation Link
There will also be a tailgate for all fans (pre-registration required), hosted by Montclair State University, located in Lot 7 overlooking Sprague Field. Admission is free with concessions available for purchase, with the first 640 tailgate guests receiving their choice of a free #taylorham or #porkroll t-shirt.
TAILGATE PRE-REGISTRATION
Rowan fans can support the cause and vote for Rowan and Pork Roll from October 6 through October 11, by making a donation to support The SHOP, Rowan's on-campus food pantry & resource center dedicated to serving students.
Rowan Donation Link
Montclair and Rowan will meet for the 64th time in their history on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
THE RED HAWK PANTRY
To combat the reality and struggle of food insecurity for our community, Student Development and Campus Life (SDCL) established the Red Hawk Pantry. On April 18, 2016, the on-campus food pantry opened for the first time and continues to serve the needs of our campus community. This year, the Red Hawk Food Pantry at Montclair State University has experienced a dramatic increase in student visits—
over 7,900 in the 2024–2025 academic year, up from over 6,400 the year before. This steady growth reflects the rising financial hardships faced by our students and the critical role our pantry plays in meeting their basic needs. When students are unsure where their next meal will come from, their academic success, mental health, and overall well-being are at risk.
THE SHOP FOOD PANTRY
Established in 2017, The Shop is Rowan University’s first on-campus food pantry and resource center, created to support students in need. With a particular focus on addressing food insecurity, The Shop provides free and confidential services that connect students with both campus and community resources. During the 2024–25 academic year, The Shop recorded more than 8,500 visits—averaging about 385 unique student visitors each month. As food insecurity becomes an increasingly common challenge on college campuses, The Shop continues to address these needs by offering healthy, accessible, and cost-free food and resources to Rowan’s growing student community.
THE BREAKFAST BOWL CAMPAIGN
Launched in 2024, the Breakfast Bowl not only ignites spirited competition but also tackles food insecurity across New Jersey through a week-long fundraising initiative supporting the Red Hawk Pantry at Montclair State University and Rowan University’s The SHOP.
In its inaugural matchup, Rowan defeated Montclair 16–10 to claim the perpetual “Breakfast Bowl” trophy. For the 2024–25 calendar year, the popular breakfast food was officially dubbed Pork Roll until the next contest. Contributions collected during the game benefited the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, with support directed to both the Egg Harbor and Hillside locations.