The Monmouth Hawks (3-2) had another school record set in a win over the Fordham Rams (0-5) with the final score being 63-21. The Hawks set the record for the most points scored at Kessler Stadium with 63. The Hawks scored 61 last October against Hampton but scored 2 more this weekend to beat the previous record. An impressive win for the Hawks considering the harsh rain and windy conditions that were endured during the game.
The Hawks wasted no time putting points onto the board as running back Mahki Green took the opening kickoff all the way back on a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put the Hawks up 7-0.
The Rams then responded and went 72 yards in six minutes which was capped by a 9-yard rushing touchdown by running back Julius Loughridge. This was the first and last time the game was tied.
The Hawks responded in a perfect 87-yard drive which was finished by running back Sone Ntoh who was able to power through for a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give them a 14-7 lead.
The Rams were forced to punt and the Hawks went 70 yards down the field in which Ntoh finished off the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown to put the Hawks up 21-7.
Another quick Rams drive resulted in a punt. The Hawks responded once again when running back Rodney Nelson ran for 34 yards. Two plays later Nelson got into the endzone for a 26 yard rushing touchdown to put the Hawks up 28-7.
The Rams had another three and out which led to a punt that only went 33 yards. It took one play for Ntoh to take it 64 yards for a touchdown. Monmouth went up 35-7 and Ntoh already had three rushing touchdowns on the day.
The Rams were able to find a spark in which they went 75-yards in under five minutes finishing with a Loughridge touchdown, his second touchdown of the game. This made the score 35-14. The Rams desperately needed a stop defensively if they wanted to get back into the game.
But for the second time in regulation the Hawks returned a kickoff for a touchdown. This time it was wide receiver TJ Speight who returned it 79 yards. Monmouth went up 42-14 with 4:44 left in the first half.
The Rams found themselves in a hole in which they could not move the ball. Another three and out which resulted in a punt. The Hawks found the endzone again with Ntoh scoring a 7-yard rushing touchdown with 33 seconds left in the half. The Hawks took a commanding 49-14 lead and the Rams ran the clock out to get out of the half.
The Rams knew they needed to score if they wanted to make a comeback. They came out throwing the ball aggressively on the first drive to start the half but were only able to gain one yard and were forced to punt. Monmouth only needed five plays to find the endzone again. Quarterback Derek Roberston found wide receiver Tra Neal for a 27-yard touchdown. This grew the lead to 56-14.
Fordham was able to pick up a few first downs on their next possession but on 4th-and-10 at Monmouth’s 47, the Rams were not able to pick up the first down and Monmouth took over on downs.
Monmouth took little to no time to capitalize on the turnover and went 53 yards in three minutes which was concluded by a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Ntoh. This gave Ntoh his fifth touchdown of the game and Monmouth went up 63-14.
The next two drives were punts by both teams and when Fordham got the ball back at there own 20, they went 80 yards in 10 plays in which Fordham quarterback Jack Capaldi found Fordham wide receiver Jack Freeburg with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The score was now 63-21.
Both Fordham and Monmouth defense played strong for the rest of the game and prevented any touchdowns from growing the score. The final score was 63-21 in which the Hawks recorded 407 rushing yards next to Fordham’s 108.
Monmouth (3-2) will take on Delaware (4-0) on Saturday Oct. 5 at Kesler Stadium. This will be a big test for the Hawks who are on a two game winning streak.
