Running back Sone Ntoh and wide receiver TJ Speight combined for seven of Monmouth’s eight total touchdowns as the Hawks (4-3) took down the Bryant Bulldogs (2-5) in the university’s annual homecoming game Saturday.
Monmouth’s FCS-leading offense dominated once again, putting up 50 pluspoints for the third time this season. It is the first time since 2018 that the Hawks offense has scored fifty or more points at least three times in a season.
After electing to receive the opening kickoff, the Monmouth offense got started quickly. A quick 11-play, 86-yard drive that took less than five minutes was capped off by an Ntoh touchdown run. Bryant responded with a kickoff return into Monmouth territory, but the Bulldogs offense was stopped after going for it on 4th down. On the first play of Monmouth’s ensuing drive, an end around play to Speight resulted in a 64-yard touchdown run, giving the Hawks a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.
The Bulldogs would go three and out on their next possession, and Monmouth would once again capitalize. A 36-yard pass from quarterback Derek Robertson to wide receiver Josh Derry set up the Hawks at the Bryant one yard line, allowing Ntoh to punch in his second touchdown of the quarter. The Bulldogs responded by returning the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Monmouth lead to 21-7. The Hawks offense once again got deep into Bryant territory on their next drive, but the offense stalled and a field goal attempt was missed.
After three straight punts on the next three offensive drives, the Monmouth offense got back going, with Robertson finding wide receiver Tra Neal to cap off a quick two minute drive. The extra point was missed, keeping the score at 27-7. Bryant’s offense responded by getting deep into Monmouth territory, but a 4th down stop by the Hawks defense at the 1-yard line prevented Bryant from cutting into Monmouth’s lead. After a punt by Monmouth, Bryant ended the half by kicking a 41-yard field goal. The Hawks went into the locker room leading 27-10.
The second half started with a Bryant punt, and the Monmouth offense took advantage. A 14-play, 93-yard drive ended with Ntohs third touchdown on the day. After another Bryant punt, Monmouth’s offense kept rolling and Robertson found Speight for his second touchdown on the day, putting the Hawks up 41-10. After an injury to Bryant’s starting quarterback Jarrett Guest, backup quarterback Brennan Myer threw an interception to Monmouth defensive back Justin Bennin on the final play of the third quarter. The interception was the first of the season for Monmouth, and it was also the first turnover of the game.
With the Hawks set up in great field position, it only took three plays for Ntoh to get his fourth rushing touchdown of the game. Bryant’s next drive got them into the Monmouth redzone, but Myer threw his second interception of the game to defensive back Israel Clark-White, who returned the INT 65 yards into Bryant territory. Backup quarterback Frankie Savino entered the game for Monmouth, and he threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Speight, giving the wide receiver his third touchdown of the game. Bryant was able to get a touchdown on their final drive thanks to a 52-yard kickoff return, but Monmouth ran the clock out and ended the game with a final score of 55-17.
Robertson threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns with a 76% completion rate. Running back Rodney Nelson led the team in rushing with 101 yards on 16 carries. Ntoh rushed for only 26 yards on eight carries, but his four rushing touchdowns put him at 17 total TDs on the season. Derry led the team in receiving, hauling in seven catches for 83 yards. Speight also had seven catches, with 61 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He also had the 64-yard touchdown run, putting him at three total touchdowns on the day.
Monmouth (4-3) looks to keep the momentum going in CAA play as they return to Kessler Stadium next Saturday to take on the Towson Tigers (3-4). Bryant (2-5), still seeking its first ever win in CAA play, returns home to Smithfield next Saturday to take on the Richmond Spiders (5-2).
