WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University football team, behind a school-record 247 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns from David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove), downed Saint Francis 42-15 in Northeast Conference play on Saturday at Kessler Field. The Hawks have now won three straight, including their first two NEC contests, to improve to 3-3, while the Red Flash now sit at 0-5 and 0-2 in the league.
“Our goal was to take another step to get to 2-0 in conference and that was accomplished,” said MU head coach Kevin Callahan. “We're a better team coming off the field today than we were last week and now we need to take it to the next level.”
MU outgained the Red Flash 413-361 in the game and held a 260-39 advantage in rushing yards. Sinisi ran for his school record yards on 32 carries, one shy of his career-high for carries in a game.
Michel Avent (Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) returned the opening kickoff 45 yards to the SFU 41-yard line, setting Monmouth up with good starting field position to begin the game. The Hawks moved the ball efficiently down the field on their first drive as Sinisi capped off an eight-play, 41-yard drive with a touchdown with 10:37 left in first quarter. Sinisi carried the ball seven times on the drive for 35 yards on the opening drive. The Hawks held SFU to a three-and-out on their first drive of the game and Sinisi found the endzone on the ensuing MU jaunt, scoring from 10 yards out to increase the lead to 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
Nick Romeo (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) returned the first SFU punt of the second quarter a career-high 43 yards and MU was in business in Red Flash territory, but Bobby Giles (Burlington Township, N.J./Burlington) fumbled at the 25-yard line on Monmouth's first play and Matthew Parker recovered the ball for Saint Francis with 12:15 to go before halftime.
Later in the second quarter, Andrew Mandeville (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) came on at quarterback and had the offense moving, but he threw an interception to Robert Horne in SFU territory. The Red Flash turned the pick into points when quarterback George Little scored a rushing touchdown from one-yard out, but Garrett Culloo (Ocean, N.J./Ocean) blocked the extra point to keep the score 14-6 MU late in the second quarter.
Monmouth responded to the Saint Francis score with a 6-play, 74-yard scoring drive in 1:44 that Sinisi took into the endzone for his third score of the half to make it 21-6 Monmouth.
John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) made five catches for a career-high 79 yards in the first half. The Hawks outgained Saint Francis 225-112 in total yards, but committed three turnovers, including two interceptions. Brett Burke (Wall, N.J./Wall) completed 12-of-15 passes in the first half for 113 yards and an interception.
Saint Francis took the second half's opening kickoff and drove 71 yards on 11 plays, converting on a Zak Campbell 20-yard field to cut the lead to 21-9 with 10:43 left in the third quarter. Monmouth again answered the Red Flash score with one of their own as Burke found Romeo on a six-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 28-9. The score was Romeo's second career touchdown and capped off a 7-play, 62 yard drive.
SFU came right back and responded to the Monmouth score when they converted a fourth-and-four on their scoring drive; Omar Winston scored on an 11-yard reverse to cut the lead to 28-15 with 3:34 left in the third period. Monmouth continued their scoring streak when Sinisi scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the day from six yards out, capping off a seven-play, 46-yard drive to make the score 35-15.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Sinisi ripped off a 50-yard scamper to give him a new career-high in rushing yards in a game. Burke and Rodney Salomon (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro [Maine]) ended the drive that Sinisi set his record on with a two-yard scoring connection to make the MU lead 42-15.
“Dave had an outstanding day and is one of the hardest workers on this team,” said Callahan. “Give credit to the offensive line for dominating the line of scrimmage; that combination is extremely productive.”
Burke ended the day going 17-for-22 for 147 yards and two touchdowns with one pick. Nalbone finished with six grabs for 91 yards while Chris Kiley (Pt. Pleasant, N.J./Pt. Pleasant Boro) had three catches for 17 yards while Romeo had two catches for 25 yards and had 126 punt return yards.
Jeff Brady (East Aurora, N.Y./St. Francis) led the way for the MU defense with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Jon Stolarz (Andover, N.J./Hopatcong) had six tackles while Joe Cella (Jackson, N.J./Jackson) and Brian Brikowski (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) each had five.
George Little led the way for SFU, completing 32-for-58 passes for 322 yards. Calvin Williams had 11 catches for 78 yards while Omar Winston nine grabs for 119 yards for the Red Flash. Anthony Howze made three catches for 66 yards while Williams led the way on the ground with 25 rushing yards.
Scott Lewis made 13 tackles to lead the SFU defense, with teammate Matthew Parker had 10 and Ryan Shepard contributed nine.
Monmouth returns to action next Saturday when they visit Wagner for a 1:00 p.m. kick in Staten Island.
