WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- The Monmouth University football team defeated future Northeast Conference member Duquesne 31-20 on Saturday afternoon in their 2007 season finale at Kessler Field.

“I'm happy with the way they finished off the season,” said head coach Kevin Callahan.  “This team continued to play hard each and every week and it says alot about the character of our team to come out in their final game of the season and beat a tough Duquesne team.”

The game was a historic one for redshirt sophomore David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove), who became the all-time single season rushing yardage leader, surpassing Chris Reed's total of 1,166 rushing yards in 1998. He also tied two records, the first being program's career rushing touchdown mark of 30, also held by Reed, and the second being Matt Merklimger's record of eight career 100-yard rushing games.

Monmouth got on the board first when Sinisi capped off a 10-play, 79-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead with 9:51 left in the first quarter. Duquesne responded on the ensuing drive when preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year wide receiver Bruce Hocker hauled in a nine-yard touchdown from quarterback Kevin Rombach to make the score 7-7 with 3:11 left in the opening quarter. The Dukes drive encompassed 12 plays and 77 yards and took almost seven minutes off the clock.

Sinisi put Monmouth back into the lead with his second touchdown pass of the season, both of them to John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence). Sinisi took the direct snap and rolled right to find the senior tight end to put the Hawks on top 14-7 with 10:21 left before halftime. Duquesne scored on their next drive when Rombach found Casey Quinn on a three-yard touchdown pass, but Monmouth's Kevin Walsh (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) blocked the extra point to keep the score at 14-13 with 4:05 left in the second quarter.

After a Monmouth drive stalled, Rombach's first pass of the drive was tipped by Ayo Falae (Newark, N.J./Barringer) and T.J. Cerezo (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape) intercepted the pass with 1:40 left before halftime. MU was able to translate the turnover into points with Sinisi scoring from three yards out to make the halftime score 21-13.

Brett Burke (Wall, N.J./Wall) was 9-of-10 for 111 yards in the first half, while Sinisi ran 14 times for 85 yards. The Hawks outgained Duquesne 230-156 in total yards in the first half. 

Out of the halftime break, Monmouth's Kenny Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley) intercepted a Rombach pass intended for Hocker and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, boosting the MU lead to 28-13.

After holding the Dukes at bay, Monmouth got right back on the offensive, as Burke connected with Steve Dowens (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) for a 39-yard reception down the Duquesne five-yard line. After a penalty, Monmouth was pushed back, but Weingert drilled a 30-yard field goal to make the score 31-13 at the 7:41 mark of the game.

Duquesne scored a late touchdown as Rombach fired his third touchdown pass of the day, a 27-yarder to Michael Rasky, to make the score 31-20 with a minute left.

For the game, MU outgained Duquesne 344-310, and held the Dukes to 226 yards passing, 74 yards below their season average. Burke finished the game 16-for-21 passing for 187 yard, while Sinisi finished with 24 carries for 125 yards and a pair of scores. Dowens caught four passes for a career-high 88 yards, while Adam San Miguel (North Bergen, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) caught four passes for 49 yards in his final game in a Monmouth uniform. Nalbone caught three passes for 41 yards and a score as well.

Falae led the defense with nine tackles, including three for loss. Derek Bischoff (Roxbury, N.J./Succasunna) logged seven stops, including one TFL, while a quartet of Hawks each contributed five tackles.

The Hawks limited Hocker to six catches for 43 yards, while Rombach completed 23-of-41 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Pittsburgh-transfer Derron Thomas led the Dukes defense with nine tackles.

Monmouth ends their 2007 season with a 4-6 record, while Duquesne ended up 6-4.