Monmouth goes on the road and picks up a huge win over the Villanova Wildcats to improve to 11 on the season.
This may be the biggest win in the history of Monmouth football. Villanova is a perennial powerhouse and the Hawks won 209 on the Wildcats’ home field. Tristan Roberts and Balial Sloan El scored the two MU touchdowns. Roberts made an excellent catch on a pass from Kyle Frazier in the third quarter. Sloan El sealed the game with a 44-yard scamper in the fourth.
The story of this game was the Hawks’ defense. Eleven thousand were on hand to see the MU defense hold Villanova scoreless for the entire first half. Jose Gumbs and Dan Sullivan made the two biggest plays of the game.
With under a minute left in the first half, Gumbs made the play that changed the game. ‘Nova wide receiver Dorian Wells appeared to be on his way to a 49yard touchdown reception. Gumbs had other plans. The senior safety never gave up on the play, and knocked the ball loose from Wells’ hands. The ball rolled into the end zone where Wells tried to recover, but could not do so inbounds. The result was a touchback and Monmouth took over at their 20yard line.
Sullivan made his play in the second half. The Wildcats faced a fourth and goal from the one-yard line. Sullivan fought through blockers and stuffed ‘Nova running back Lawrence Doss. This led to a long drive by the Hawks that concluded with an Eric Spillane field goal.
Mitchell Pollard had a great game for the Blue and White. Pollard grabbed seven receptions for 118 yards. This includes a 62yard grab in the second half that helped the Hawks put points on the board.
Villanova was missing their starting quarterback and stand out wide receiver in this contest, but that does not diminish the importance of the win for Monmouth. This game gives the Hawks much needed confidence going into their Northeast Conference schedule.
The Hawks will travel to Central Connecticut State for an NEC showdown this week. The Blue Devils were selected in the preseason as the favorite to win the conference this season. A win in this matchup would improve the Hawks to 21 on the season and set the tone for successful conference play.
PHOTO COURTESY of Jim Reme
