WEST LONG BRANCH- Monmouth University head coach Kevin Callahan announced the 2007 Monmouth Football schedule on Monday afternoon, which includes contests against Maine, Delaware and Duquesne along with a full slate of Northeast Conference games.

The Hawks open the 2007 season in Orono, Maine, against Colonial Athletic Association opponent, University of Maine.  The Blackbears owned a 6-5 record last season, including a 4-1 mark at home.  One of Maine's losses was a 22-0 defeat on the road against Division I-A opponent Boston College.

After a week off, MU will host St. Peter's for its first home game of the 2007 season.  Monmouth defeated the Peahens at home by a score of 36-12 in 2006.  Monmouth is 5-0 against St. Peter's including a 2-0 mark on the road. 

A trip to Long Island is next on the schedule for Monmouth as they face Northeast Conference defectors Stony Brook University.  The Seawolves came in and defeated the Hawks last season by a score of 36-17 at home but the Hawks still own a 5-3 overall record against SBU.

On Sept. 29 the Hawks will travel to play at perennial powerhouse Delaware.  Monmouth has never faced Delaware, who is also member of the newly formed CAA.  The fighting Blue Hens posted a 5-6 record in 2006 with a schedule that included three ranked opponents.  Delaware has won the National Championship five times, with the most recent one coming in 2003.

Monmouth wraps up the non-conference season with a home game against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Duquesne, who is set to join the NEC in the 2008 season.  MU has played the Dukes only one other time, losing 12-10 in 2003 in the ECAC Football Classic.  The Hawks own a 12-2 record against teams that compete or have competed in the MAAC.

“This year's schedule is more challenging than any that we have had,” said Callahan.  “The addition of Maine, Delaware, and Duquesne make our schedule extremely competitive.”

Monmouth begins its quest for a record sixth Northeast Conference Championship on Oct. 6, 2007 when they travel up to Fairfield, Conn. to play Sacred Heart.  MU will finally play home the following week when they host rival Wagner at 1 p.m. at Kessler Field.  Robert Morris visits West Long Branch the following week before the Hawks are back on the road against Central Connecticut in the last week of October.

The Hawks wrap up the NEC schedule with a game at Loretto, Pa. to face St. Francis (Pa.) at 1 p.m.  Monmouth will conclude its home schedule when Albany visits on Nov. 11.

The NEC should again be very balanced,” said Callahan.  “In conference play, every game is a big game. Every team is talented and has the ability to beat everyone else.”

The Hawks earned their fifth overall and first outright Northeast Conference title last season, going 6-1 in conference play.  Monmouth was 4-1 in non-conference play while posting a perfect 5-0 road record.

While waiting for the Sept. 1 opener, fans should keep posted to www.GoMUHawks.com for upcoming information on Monmouth University spring football.

2007 Monmouth Hawks Football Schedule

09/01               at Maine                       6 p.m.   

09/15               St. Peter's                   1 p.m.

09/22               at Stony Brook            1 p.m.

09/29               at Delaware                  TBA

10/6     *          at Sacred Heart            1 p.m.

10/13   *          WAGNER                   1 p.m.

10/20   *          ROBERT MORRIS     1 p.m.

10/27   *          at CCSU                      1 p.m.

11/3     *          at St. Francis (PA)        1 p.m.

11/10   *          ALBANY                    1 p.m.

11/17               DUQUESNE               12 p.m.

* Denotes NEC contest

CAPS indicates a home game