Monmouth Football closed out their 2023 season with an unfortunate loss to UAlbany on Saturday, Nov. 18. Despite the way the season ended for the Hawks, there is much to be proud of coming off the 2023 season including the exceptional performances of many players.
Wide receiver Dymere Miller had a season for the record books as he ended his senior year making history for both Monmouth and beyond. It was Nov. 11 that marked Miller’s record-breaking 11-catch, 333-yard performance against New Hampshire. The 333-yard performance set not only a new program record but the second-most in CAA history and most of any college receiver this year. Due to his outstanding efforts, Miller was named the FedEx Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week as well as CAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week following the game versus New Hampshire.
Dymere ended the regular season as the nation’s leading wide receiver with a total of 1,293 yards to set a Monmouth single-season record. The Pennsylvania native totaled 100+ receiving yard games six times this season, in which he scored twice in three games.
For the second consecutive season, running back Jaden Shirden finished the 2023 season as the leading rusher with 1,478 yards. After his performance as a sophomore, Shirden entered his junior year seventh on Monmouth’s all-time rushing yardage list but made his way to third after this season’s rushing yards. The junior tallied seven games in which he had over 100 rushing yards, two of those games exceeding 250. Shirden was not only recognized for his yardage but his ten touchdowns on the season as well which welcomed him to the program’s top ten.
In Monmouth history, five Hawks have been finalists for the Walter Payton Award, the honor given to the best offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. As a result of the accolades and efforts from both Dymere and Shirden this year, they both were announced as finalists for the 2023 Award.
After being named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, Shirden continued his accolades and was named the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Running back Sone Ntoh and offensive lineman Greg Anderson both earned Second Team Honors, while Tyler Williams made the Third Team. Four additional Hawks made the CAA Honorable Mention list: defensive end Antonio Colclough, linebacker Jake Brown, cornerback Eddie Morales III, and safety Tyrese Wright.
