The Monmouth Hawks (5-6) bounced back from three consecutive losses against the Villanova Wildcats (8-3), with the score ending 40-33 at Kessler Stadium on Saturday.
Monmouth set a great impression in the first quarter moving up the field quickly. Running Back, Makhi Green, set the Hawks up beautifully after collecting a couple of yards from a kickoff return. With more than 10 minutes left in the quarter, running back Sone Ntoh scored the first touchdown for the Hawks.
They attempted to go for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful. Villanova responded pretty well, being able to swiftly secure a 2-yard touchdown by quarterback Connor Watkins and a field goal before the end of the quarter with 7-6 on the scoreboard.
As the second quarter approached, the Hawks were able to pull together two back-to-back touchdowns from quarterback Derek Robertson. Wide receiver, Josh Derry, was found on a 32-yard trick play to collect another six points for the Hawks. Not too long after, wide receiver, Maxwell James was connected with a 19-yard score to extend the lead to 19-7. Before halftime, Watkins was able to send running back David Avit through the line of scrimmage to collect 25 yards and a touchdown leaving the score at 19-14.
The Hawks returned to the field fired up and ready for the second half. It took them only two plays to make it into the end-zone once again. Running back Rodney Nelson was trusted with the ball in these two plays, running an 85-yard drive to bring his team closer to the endzone. He received the ball again to seal the deal with a 26-yard touchdown run. Ntoh collected another six points with a 7-yard touchdown later in the quarter extending the lead to 33-17.
The Wildcats retaliated with a comeback back attempt in the fourth quarter. Watkins was left open with an opportunity to score a 6-yard touchdown, which was complimented with a two-point conversion, which gave them a chance to bring their score closer to the Hawks (33-25). The team was very in tune with this game being able to set up Ntoh with a 1-yard touchdown which earned him a single-season record, his 23rd rushing score of the season. This pushed the Hawks up to 40 points with the Wildcats hungry for another touchdown before the final quarter ends. Wide receiver, Devin Smith found his way into the endzone giving his team another six points chasing the Hawks lead. Monmouth’s defensive line has players like Justin Bennin, Isaiah Rodgers, and K-Shawn Schluters, who had several tackles throughout the game (Israel Clark-White leading with seven tackles.) Damir McCray complimented the line, snagging a sack on his way out, resulting in the Wildcats being unable to secure another touchdown. The Hawks closed the game with an amazing catch by T.J. Speight who led all receivers with 120 yards on seven catches.
Monmouth (5-6) will close its 2024 season at Stony Brook (8-3) this upcoming Saturday, Nov. 23 while Villanova (8-3) welcomes Delaware (9-1) for their final game at the Villanova Stadium that same day.
