Football is back. The Hawks kicked off their 2015 season falling to the Crusaders of Holy Cross 27-19 on Sept. 5. The football program is entering its second season in the Big South Conference, where they finished 6-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play in 2014. The Crusaders, a member of the Patriot League who went 4-8 a season ago and finished 2-4 in conference play were too much for the Hawks to handle on opening day at Monmouth Stadium. The two teams played once previously in 2013 at Holy Cross, with the Hawks coming out on top 21-14.
“As a team today, I don’t think we did enough things correctly in order to win the game,” said Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan. “As I told our team, football games are difficult to win and you’ve got to be able to execute and do things right, especially in critical or important situations.
The opening kickoff sailed out of the end zone by Holy Cross junior kicker Zane Wasp to start the season for both schools. The Hawks offense, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Williams, went three-and-out in their first offensive possession of the season. Sophomore kicker Matt White punted to Holy Cross return man senior Kalif Raymond who returned the punt inside the Monmouth five yard line, but a block in the back penalty nullified that return.
The Crusaders’ offensive possession was highlighted by a long 33 yard run on third down by junior running back Gabe Guild to set up a first and goal inside the one yard line. Guild checked out for the next play and in entered sophomore running back Diquan Walker, who ran the ball into the end zone to cap off a four play, 42 yard drive and put the Crusaders on top. Senior kicker Connor Fitzgerald added the extra point to extend their lead to 7-0 with 11:22 left in the first quarter.
Another touchback on the ensuing kickoff placed the football on the 20 yard line for the Hawks’ next possession. On first down, Williams completed his first collegiate pass to fellow redshirt freshman Reggie White Jr. for a gain of three yards. Two plays later, Williams converted a third and eleven play on a 23 yard pass to senior tight end Hakeem Valles, to pick up a Hawks first down.
After a first down run by junior running back Lavon Chaney, Williams added a 14 yard run for another Hawks first down. A late hit penalty on the Crusaders put Monmouth inside the red zone at the 14 yard line. Monmouth would tack on three points with a Matt White 38 yard field goal to get on the board, 7-3, with 6:07 left in the first.
“The defense had a great game today,” said Williams. “They gave us the ball back when we needed it but the offense just has to capitalize. It was different at first, but I feel like I acclimated well. I need to keep elevating my game so I can help this team win.”
The next Holy Cross possession began on their own 15 yard line. They would go on to drive 85 yards down the field over seven plays, ending with a 15 yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Peter Pujals to extend their lead to 14-3. The Hawks would punt their next possession as first quarter came to an end.
The second quarter began with the first three-and-out of the day for Holy Cross. The Hawks took over at their own nine yard line, but Williams fumbled which was recovered by the Crusaders, who took over five yards away from the end zone. After a penalty knocked them back five yards, Pujals would find junior wide receiver Brendan Flaherty for a ten yard touchdown pass to increase the Crusader lead to 21-3 with 12:23 remaining in the first half.
Both teams would go three-and-out in their next two possessions until the Hawks got the ball with 31 seconds to go before halftime. On the first play, Williams hit junior wide receiver Darren Ambush on a screen pass, who breezed right through the Holy Cross defense and ran 81 yards into the end zone for the Hawks’ first touchdown of the season. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Hawks went into the half down 21-9, but the momentum was on their side heading into the locker room.
The Hawks kicked off to begin the second half, Holy Cross would quickly go three-and-out. Monmouth’s ensuing drive would wind up being the longest of the game. They went a total of 56 yards over 14 plays and took 8:34 off the clock in the process. Chaney ran for three first downs on the drive, including a 26 yard run that got the Hawks into the red zone. Williams connected with Valles for an eleven yard gain on the next play to get the Hawks to the three yard line. A one yard run by Chaney would get the ball down to the Crusader two yard line, but a botched snap that was recovered by Chaney on the next play sent the Monmouth offense back to the 22 yard line. White’s field goal attempt from 37 yards out was blocked, and Holy Cross regained possession.
The Crusaders went three-and-out and the Hawks got the ball back at their own 44 yard line. Chaney would start with a one yard run, which was followed by a seven yard run by Ambush. The Hawks’ offense got across midfield and into Crusader territory after Williams found Chaney for a first down. Williams and Chaney hooked up again four plays later for a 26 yard completion to take the ball inside the red zone. A four yard rush and a false start wrapped up the third quarter.
The fourth quarter began with the Hawks at the 16 yard line with a third and eleven. After an Ambush seven yard rush to pick up a first down, Chaney took the direct snap on second and goal and ran two yards into the end zone for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-16.
The Crusaders were forced to punt on their next possession, but they recovered a Lavon Chaney fumble on the first play of the Hawks’ next drive. Connor Fitzgerald would tack on three more points with a 22 yard field goal to increase the Crusaders lead to 24-16.
Williams threw an interception and Holy Cross would turn that into three more points with a 40 yard field goal by Fitzgerald. The Hawks added three more of their own afterWhite converted a 27 yard field goal attempt, making the score 27-19 with 1:18 left in regulation.
Sophomore kicker John Coleman came on to attempt an onside kick. White Jr. recovered the kick and the Hawks still had a chance to tie the game and force overtime. But Williams threw an interception taking a shot at the end zone and sealed the victory for the Crusaders. With the loss, the Hawks dropped to 7-9 all-time against opponents from the Patriot League.
Monmouth were led by Williams, who finished 22-33 for 258 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 38 yards on 15 carries. Chaney ran for 99 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and also had 4 catches for 31 yards. Ambush caught six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown while White Jr. had 5 catches for 39 yards. Pujals was 16-26 for 165 yards and a touchdown for the Crusaders. He also rushed for 38 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Walker had 51 yards on 9 rushes (5.7 average) and a touchdown. Guild ran for 48 yards on 7 carries (6.9 average). The Crusaders’ receivers were led by Junior Brendan Flaherty (4 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD) and Junior Jake Wieczorek who each had three receptions.
On defense, sophomore defensive back Mike Basile led the Hawks with ten total tackles while three Crusaders led with six stops.
“We’re going to address the issues that came up in today’s game in hopes that they don’t continue,” said Callahan. “We also have to move forward on the good things that happened today.”
PHOTO COURTESY of Taylor Jackson
