Hawks Back On The Road To Face A Hungry Kent State Team

Photo above: #30 Mike Basile and #3 Marcus Leslie zero in on ball carrier in Hawks opening day win

WEST LONG BRANCH – For just the second time in 10 years Monmouth University has started off the season 2-0 after hanging on to defeat Delaware State 34-20 last Saturday in Dover, Delaware. The Hawks dominated the game for close to three quarters taking a 27-0 lead before finishing off the Hornets 34-20 for their second consecutive road win to open the season.

This Saturday, Monmouth University travels to Kent, Ohio to take on Football Bowl Subdivision (DI-A) opponent Kent State (0-2) for their second ever game against a FBS program after falling to Central Michigan 31-10 a year ago. Both Kent State and Central Michigan are members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

The Hawks are confident and playing well heading into the game, but will be facing a Kent State squad in a foul mood and looking for someone to take it out on after a disappointing 0-2 start to the season, including a four overtime loss to North Carolina A&T last Saturday.

Kent State is a much better team than their record indicates and they’ll be out to prove it Saturday. In their opening day 33-13 loss to Penn State they trailed by only three points, 16-13, at the half before a third quarter Nittany Lions interception for a touchdown derailed their upset bid. Statistically, the game was much closer than the final score indicated with Penn State tacking on a final touchdown with under two minutes remaining in the game.

Then last Saturday night, in the longest game in program history that began with a two hour weather delay, Kent State lost a quadruple overtime game to North Carolina A&T, 39-36. The Golden Flashes shot themselves in the foot late in the game when they were whistled for four pass interference calls after the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter with the first flag setting up a two-yard touchdown run that sent the game into overtime.

North Carolina A&T (2-0) is a FCS member - as is Monmouth – so you can be sure Kent State will do everything in their power to avoid losing to FCS schools in consecutive weeks. In other words, NCA&T didn’t do the Hawks any favors winning last week and it certainly didn’t help their cause heading into Saturday’s game.

And as if the Flashes needed any more motivation, the game is part of Parents and Family weekend with Kent State hosting a “Gold Out” at Dix Stadium for the game.

The Golden Flashes are 2-0 all-time against the Big South, with both wins coming against Liberty but were picked to finish last in the MAC East this season in both the media and coaches preseason polls.

Although surrendering 72 points in two games this season, Kent State’s strength still lies in its defense. The unit returned eight starters after finishing 27th in the nation a year ago allowing just 350 yards per game.

The top returnees are three first team All-Mac performers: end Terence Waugh, free safety Nate Holley and corner Demetrius Monday. Waugh led the team in tackles for a loss (12) and sacks (9.0) despite missing two games with injuries. Holley led in tackles (141) and Monday led in interceptions (six). Linebacker Elcee Refuge slides into the middle this season after recording 70 tackles, eight for a loss and 2.5 sacks a year ago on the outside.

The front four also brings back Chris Fairchild, Jon Cunningham and Theo Eboigbe to a unit that registered 31 sacks last season. Holley currently ranks second in the nation and leads the MAC with 15 tackles per game. After making 17 tackles against Penn State, he was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week. Waugh has recorded 18 tackles (13 solo) and ranks eighth in the nation in sacks (3.0) and has 12 sacks in his last 12 games played. Following a career-high eight tackles at Penn State, sophomore safety Jauntez McRae (13 tackles) forced two turnovers against NC A&T (Int and fumble). Refuge has two fumble recoveries and 11 tackles.

The offense did return nine starters from a unit that ranked 127th out of 128 FBS teams a year ago at 270.8 yards per game but has looked better in its first two games. Five Kent State offensive linemen have made a combined 101 starts and are the heart-and-soul of the offensive unit.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Mylik Mitchell threw three touchdown passes in his first career start against NC A&T, matching the most in a game by any Kent State quarterback since 2004 (Josh Cribbs). He finished going 23-of-44 for 247 yards and an interception along with his three TD passes. Freshman Justin Rankin leads the team in rushing with 119 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown and four catches for 35 yards while fifth-year senior tight end Brice Fackler has four receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns.

This is by no means an unwinnable game for Monmouth University; it’s just that they won’t have the benefit of sneaking up on the Flashes after their wake-up call last week. Even with Kent State’s loss to NC A&T, they’re still a big step up in competition for the Hawks.

The good news for the Hawks is that their rushing attack will be back at full strength with senior Lavon Chaney (shoulder) and redshirt junior Zach Welch (ankle) both giving the green light for Saturday’s game after leaving the Delaware State game early with injuries. In their absence, fifth-year senior Ed Royds filled in admirably rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Monmouth is averaging 427.0 yards per game of total offense while allowing just 230.0 total yards per game to the opposition. Chaney still leads in rushing yards with 169 yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns while Welch has 24 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. Chaney – a 2015 second team All-Big South selection - and Welch combined for 206 yards and three touchdowns in their season-opener with Chaney adding an additional 74-yards receiving.

Sophomore quarterback Cody Williams remains the starter and will be under center Saturday against Kent State. Williams has completed 31-of-48 passes for 325 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He’s been solid at the position and there is no quarterback controversy as some may want to believe after redshirt freshman quarterback Kenji Bahar was inserted for two series in last week’s win.

The 6-foot-3 dual-threat Bahar looked good leading the Hawks to a field goal on a short drive then a 10-play, 99-yard drive, capped by his eight-yard touchdown run that gave the Hawks a 17-0 lead at halftime. He was named the Big South Freshman of the Week for his performance.

Head coach Kevin Callahan said that he and his staff decided days before the game that they wanted to get Bahar two first-half series to see what they had in their young quarterback. Callahan was happy with what he saw but reiterated that Williams is the No.1 guy and there’s no discussion about it.

Sophomore wide receiver Reggie White Jr. is coming off an 11 catch, 127-yard performance last week and for the year leads the team with 14 receptions for 169 yards but is still looking for his first touchdown reception while 2015 first team All-Big South wideout Darren Ambush has grabbed nine balls for 97 yards.

The offensive line, led by left tackle Matt Stoneberg and All-Big South center Alex Thompson, has been a pleasant surprise giving the fact that three new faces were inserted into the starting lineup. Right guard Pete Righi, right tackles Russ Clayton and left guard Ryan Wentzel have helped the line exceed expectations and jell as a unit.

The Hawks defense has been outstanding and is once again led by two-time first team All-Big South safety Mike Basile, who leads the team with 17 tackles including 13 solo tackles. Basile was named the Big South Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a field goal and extra point in last week’s win.

Senior middle linebacker Payton Minnich (12 tackles, TFL) – a 2015 second team All-Big South selection - has picked up where he left off last season when he was second on the team with 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss with an interception and fumble recovery.

The defensive line has been ferocious. The return of defensive ends Darnell Leslie (9 tackles, sack) and Zack Talley (5 tackles, sack, .5 TFL) from injuries has been a boon to the line that brought back huge tackle Dimitrius Smith (8 tackles, blocked pass) after a stellar 2015 season. Leslie was a 2014 All-Big South pick before missing all of last season with an injury.

Senior safety Teddy Martinez is third on the team with 11 tackles and a blocked kick while junior Marcus Leslie has been a shut-down corner back with two passes defended, one pass breakup, an interception, seven tackles and .5 tackles for a loss. Senior Kamir Dumas has also excelled in the secondary with an interception, two passes defended and a pass breakup.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN 3.

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