WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University's football team was chosen to finish second in the eight team conference, league officials announced today.
MU garnered the second place spot (with two first place votes) behind Albany (five first place votes), who won the league by going undefeated in conference play a year ago. Central Connecticut State (1 first place vote) was third, with Wagner, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and Saint Francis rounding out the poll. The Hawks, who were 4-6 (3-3 NEC) last year, return nine starters on offense and 10 on defense.
Monmouth has seven all-conference performers returning (including three first team selections), with six of those earning spots on the 2008 Preseason All-NEC team. Captains Ayo Falae (Newark, N.J./Barringer), David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) and Kevin Walsh (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape), all second team selections a year ago, were named to the preseason team. Falae was second on the Hawks in stops in 2007, with 49 tackles including four and a half for a loss. The senior also had 11 pass breakups to go with his two interceptions on the season. Sinisi earned Second Team All-NEC honors a year ago, after setting the FCS record for consecutive games with a touchdown (20). The redshirt-junior ran for 1,184 yards and an amazing 17 touchdowns while catching 29 passes for 293 yards. Walsh, a senior, led the Hawk defensive line with 39 total tackles, including 13 solo stops a year ago. Walsh was a menace in opposing team's backfields, registering 11 tackles for a loss while tallying two forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and an interception as a junior.
John Nalbone (Lawrence, N.J./Lawrenceville) returns as the league's top tight end from a year ago. The fifth-year senior has earned all-league honors in his first three years and led the Northeast Conference's tight ends in receptions, reception yardage and touchdowns in 2007. Offensive linemen Nick LoCastro (Wenonah, N.J./Gateway Regional) and Shawn Wright (Fort Washington, Md./DeMatha Catholic) each earned preseason nods. LoCastro, a fifth-year senior, is a three-year starter at left tackle, where he was chosen to the First Team All-NEC a year ago. Wright was a second team selection in 2007 at guard. Fifth-year quarterback Brett Burke (Wall, N.J./Wall) is the only returning first team selection who did not make the preseason all-conference team.
“It is an honor that the other head coaches in the league have named six of our players to the preseason All-NEC squad,” said Head Coach Kevin Callahan. “Coming off a 4-6 season, we know we have a lot of work to do to get back to the top of the league.”
The Hawks are deep in preseason practice, with their first intrasquad scrimmage taking place on August 16 at 2 p.m. on Kessler Field.
2008 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Albany (5 first place votes)
2. Monmouth (2 first place votes)
3. Central Connecticut State (1 first place votes)
4. Wagner
5. Duquesne
6. Robert Morris
7. Sacred Heart
8. Saint Francis
