With the 15th season of Monmouth football kicking off this August, www.GoMUHawks.com will revisit the 15 greatest football victories of the past 14 years, with one game released each week until the Hawks open the season against Maine on Sept. 1, 2007.
MU FOOTBALL 5th GREATEST VICTORY: Oct. 18, 2003
FOOTBALL MOVES TO 7-0 WITH 10-7 WIN OVER ALBANY
Hawk defense contains Great Danes to 165 total yards
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth University used its trademark defense to remain perfect on the season with a 10-7 win over Albany on Homecoming in Northeast Conference football action on October 18, 2003 at Kessler Field.
Monmouth, playing in front of a Homecoming crowd of 4,883, moved its record to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in NEC action. The loss dropped Albany to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in league play.
“The game played out as a classic match-up between a high-powered offense and a tough, physical defense,” said head coach Kevin Callahan. “Our defense was outstanding the entire day.”
The Hawks' defense stymied the Great Danes, holding All-America running back Gary Jones to just 67 yards on 16 carries, while limiting Albany to just 165 yards of total offense and six first downs. Albany did not get its first down until 42 minutes into the contest.
“Our front seven keyed on their rushing attack all day and kept after their backs,” said Joe Sentipal.
Monmouth drew first blood as Steve Andriola hit a 44-yard field goal with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter to cap off a 7-play, 20-yard drive. The drive was setup by an interception by All-America Joe Sentipal on an Uli Delgado pass attempt. It was Sentipal's team-leading third interception of the season.
“Our defensive line applied pressure on that play, the ball was tipped, and I was right there to pick it off. That turnover took the momentum away from them and we were able to get some points out of our drive.”
The Blue and White tacked on seven more points just before the intermission. Monmouth took possession at Albany's 45-yard line following an interception of an Anthony Sciarra pass by Rob Lomoriello with 3:01 remaining in the first half. Monmouth moved the ball 30 yards on six consecutive rushes, setting up a 15-yard TD strike from Brendan Kennedy to Pete Raspitzi. The touchdown inflated the cushion to 10-0 heading into the halftime.
"Pete made a great catch to give us a big lift going into halftime," said former offensive lineman and current Hawk coach Jeff Gallo. "That play gave us a ton of momentum going into the half. We knew how good our defense was, and how good we were playing, and with a 10-0 lead, Albany would have a very hard time scoring on our defense."
The Hawks owned a 137-26 advantage in total offense and 8-0 edge in first downs in the first half.
Albany's lone score came with 1:26 left in the contest as Sciarra connected with Jason Miller for 36-yard touchdown pass. The score capped off a 5-play, 73-yard drive.
"It was a match up of two great teams, and it came down to whoever made more plays, and we made more plays on that given day," said Gallo. "That win showed how far we had come and that we had really turned things around."
The Hawks outrushed Albany 143-68 for the game led by Bobby Smith with 74 yards on 19 carries. Joe Migliore added 48 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Brian Boland, who moved to 5-0 as Monmouth's starter, completed 10-of-15 passes for 98 yards. Raspitzi caught three passes for 55 yards and one touchdown.
“The upperclassmen on that team really helped the younger guys, showing them a year-round commitment to Monmouth football, and also how to perform off the field and in the classroom as well,” Sentipal said.
