Michael Jolly
Sports

Football Wraps Up Non-Conference Slate with Win Over Howard

The Monmouth offense exploded for 572 total yards in their 59-27 victory over Howard on Saturday afternoon. Three hundred fourty-three of those yards came on the ground and four running backs combined to score six of the offense’s eight touchdowns.

“Today was a day when you saw our explosiveness as an offense, the ability to score long touchdowns and put the ball in the end zone,” Head Coach Kevin Callahan said. “We were able to get some quick score points and that is always good as well.”

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Cody Williams only played the first half but had one of his best games to date, completing a season-high 17 passes on 20 attempts for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

“I thought Cody did a tremendous job. He got out to a great start and we jumped out to a big lead,” Callahan said. “An outstanding effort on his part.”

With a 31-14 halftime lead. Callahan felt comfortable with using different quarterbacks in the second half. Redshirt freshman Kenji Bahar finished 4-5 for 28 yards and senior Devin Ray also saw action in the fourth quarter, completing one of two passes for three yards.

“It was a game where we felt comfortable with the lead. We decided to get Kenji in there and then Devin in the fourth quarter,” Callahan said. “It was a game where we could play a lot of different people and were able to do that today.”

Junior running back Michael Jolly had the best game of his career, rushing for 129 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries.

“I just followed what (running backs) Coach (Sam) Dorsett told me, press the lanes,” Jolly said. “I feel that because (the running back unit) has a lot of experience, all four of us played last season. Lavon, Welch, Ed – they are older guys. They are able to help me out by giving me information as the game goes on – how the holes are hitting and how the defense is tackling. I just followed the blocking. The offensive line did a great job today.”

Senior running back Ed Royds also has two rushing touchdowns on the day while totaling 118 yards on the ground on just seven carries. Seniors Zach Welch and Lavon Chaney also had rushing touchdowns on the day.

“We showed that we have a number of guys who can do great things with the ball in their hands,” Callahan said. “They showed why the position was so deep and why that positon is so important to us. I was happy with the success they were able to have today.”

Sophomore wide receiver Reggie White Jr. had five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on the day, while senior wide receiver Darren Ambush hauled in four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. Junior defensive back Kyle Gregory led the defense with six tackles while junior safety Mike Basile had five. Twenty six different Hawks recorded a tackle on the day.

The blue and white are now 4-2 on the season and resume Big South Conference play on Thursday night when they travel to Clinton, SC to take on Presbyterian (1-4) at 7 p.m.

PHOTO COURTESY of Ryan Halbe