Football defeated Charleston Southern 23-20 to extend Monmouth’s winning streak to five games and improve to 7-1 (2-0 Big South) on the season Saturday night. After the win, they became ranked 24th nationally in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) coaches poll for the first time in program history.
“It’s a great win for us, to get to 7-1 is a terrific accomplishment for these guys,” Head Coach Kevin Callahan said. “It was a hard fought contest and we knew going in it was going to be. Charleston Southern for the last four years has been one of the best, if not the best team in the Big South. To come away with a victory down here, I think says a lot about the progress we are making as a team in the Big South.”
Late in the fourth quarter, junior running back Devell Jones converted three key first downs and helped run out the final four minutes left in the game to secure the game for the Hawks. He would rush for 35 of his 36 total rushing yards on the game-clinching drive. The last yard was when Jones scored on a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter, his team-high ninth touchdown of the season.
“To be able to bring Devell off the bench and give him the ball to pound out those first downs and take those final four minutes off the clock was huge. It really just won the game for us,” Callahan said on the junior running back.
After a scoreless first half, freshman running back Eric Zokouri started the scoring off, catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Kenji Bahar. After a missed point after, MU had the lead 6-0.
On the ensuring drive, the Buccaneers went three and out and punted to Monmouth. MU extended their lead after sophomore kicker Matt Mosquera successfully hit a field goal from 32 yards out to make it 9-0.
After the Bucs turned the ball over on downs, the Hawks would score on their third straight drive, doing so on Jones’ one yard rushing touchdown to close out the half 16-0.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Buccaneers quarterback was hit by senior defensive back Agbai Iroha while he was throwing, which ended up being intercepted by junior defensive lineman Gerron Pendarvis and was taken 21 yards to the house to make the score 23-0 against the reigning Big South champions.
Charleston Southern would score for the first time in the game with five minutes left in the third quarter, scoring on a 15-yard passing touchdown.
After five straight punts between the Hawks and the Bucs, Charleston Southern scored on another passing touchdown, this time from 38 yards out to make it 23-13 MU in the fourth quarter.
On the next drive, the Buccaneers would force a Hawks three and out and another punt. The Bucs would start their drive in Monmouth territory, ending the four play drive with a two-yard touchdown run to make it 23-20 MU.
After the touchdown, Jones and the Monmouth offense would run out the final four minutes of the game to seal the 23-20 victory.
With the victory, the Hawks defeated Charleston Southern for the first time ever, losing the past three seasons against the Big South opponent and being outscored a combined 99-14 before Saturday.
For the game, Bahar would finish with 221 passing yard and a touchdown on 20 completions. Junior wide receiver Reggie White Jr. finished with a team-high 86 receiving yards on seven receptions. Senior safety Mike Basile finished with 11 tackles and senior defensive back Teddie Martinez added an interception on Charleston Southern’s opening drive.
Up next for the Hawks, they will take on conference opponent Presbyterian on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at Kessler Stadium.
PHOTO COURTESY of B51/Mark Brown
