NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I.- Monmouth University's (1-3) football team got its first victory of the 2008 season on Saturday with a 30-17 victory over future Northeast Conference member Bryant College (1-3).
Running back David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) ran for a pair of touchdowns to lead MU, the first of which made him Monmouth's all-time leading scorer. The Hawk defense forced two turnovers and had four sacks as head coach Kevin Callahan earned his 90th career victory. Monmouth handed Bryant just their second regular season loss in the last 18 contests.
The Bulldogs took the second half kickoff and moved the ball deep into MU territory mainly on the arm of quarterback Jay Graber mixed with back Jerrell Smith. Monmouth's defensive line turned up the pressure inside the 20 yardline, forcing Bryant to settle for a 35 yard field goal, which came up short. One play later, Sinisi coughed up the ball in the middle of a pile, which was recovered by Bryant's Andre Whyte at the Hawk 29. The Bulldogs set themselves up with a first and goal from the four but MU's defense came up with three straight stops, forcing Bryant to settle for a field goal, cutting the lead to 17-10 with 7:30 left in the third quarter.
Burke hit junior Rodney Salomon (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro (Maine) on two passes to move the ball to midfield before a Sinisi run put the ball in Bulldog territory. The Monmouth drive stalled there and Bryant took over at their own six after Jack Daniels' (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Don Bosco) punt. Monmouth's defense held for three straight plays, including a third down sack credited to Kevin Walsh (Marlton, N.J./Lenape).
Burke came out throwing on second down and five, hitting Kiley for a 44 yard TD that was negated due to an illegible man downfield call. Two straight Sinisi runs gave MU a first down from the Bryant 28 and a 17-10 lead at the end of the third quarter. Monmouth moved the chains again on a Burke to Steve Dowens (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) pass that brought the ball down to the Bryant 12. Two plays later Sinisi barreled into the endzone, becoming the Hawks all-time leading scoring in the process. Monmouth missed the extra point after a bad hold but held a 23-10 lead with 13:05 to play in regulation.
Monmouth penalties once again aided a Bryant drive as the Bulldogs found themselves with a first and 10 on the Hawk 31 yardline. A sack on first down by Dave Ogden (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) got things going Monmouth's way but Graber hooked up with Jarrett Solimando for a third down conversion to the MU 13. On fourth down, MU linebacker T.J. Cerezo (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) intercepted a tipped ball in the endzone and the Hawks took over on their own 20. Three straight Sinisi runs, including a 70 yard touchdown run, ended the drive, with MU ahead 30-10 with 7:34 showing on the clock.
Graber hit Solimando late in the game for his second touchdown reception, cutting the MU lead to 30-17 with 1:57 left on the clock.
The Hawks took the opening kickoff but back-to-back penalties pinned MU deep, forcing a punt on a failed third and two attempt. Monmouth's defense held forcing a punt but on first down Burke hit Dowens for a 59 yard pass completion setting up a first and goal from the Bulldog nine. Two plays later, facing a third and goal from the six, Burke found a wide open John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) in the back right corner of the end zone for a touchdown to give the Blue & White a 7-0 lead with 9:05 left in the first.
The Bulldogs moved the ball well on their next possession, converting two third down chances. Bryant quarterback Graber completing six straight passes on the drive, the last one going for a five yard touchdown pass to Solimando. Graber moved the bulldogs 81 yards on 12 plays to tie the game at 7-7 with 2:23 to play.
Burke and the Hawks moved the ball over midfield after facing a third and 12 when the fifth year senior hit Chris Kiley (Pt. Pleasant, N.J./Pt. Boro) over the middle for a 13 yard pickup. One play later Burke took off for a 15 yard rush off the left side, setting up a first down from the Bryant 30. Burke connected with Kiley on another third down, with the fifth-year senior taking the ball down to the nine yard line. Sinisi could not get in from the two on third down, prompting a Fred Weingart (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) 20 yard field goal which bounced off the right upright and went through. With just over 10 minutes in the second half left, MU led 10-7.
Cornerback Ken Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) picked off his second pass of the season after Graber was hit by Kevin Walsh while throwing, setting up the Hawk offense at their own 39 yardline. With junior Andrew Mandeville (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) under center, MU moved the ball into Bryant territory but a personal foul backed the Hawks up with a second and 17 from their own 44. A third down pass interference call bailed the Hawk offense out, setting up first down on the BC 32. Evading pressure, Mandeville hit running back Bobby Giles (Burlington, N.J./Burlington) for a 20 yard pass reception. Three plays later Giles finished the drive with a three yard touchdown run, his second of the season.
Graber and the Bulldogs drove into Hawk territory with one minute showing in the half, but a sack by David Kennedy backed Bryant up with a third and 22 ending the scoring threat. Monmouth led 17-7 going into the lockeroom.
Monmouth amassed 218 yards on the ground while holding the Bulldogs, a team averaging 192 on the ground in '08, to just 56. Graber passed for 261 yards on 26-of-45 passing and two touchdowns, with Lindsey Gamble was held to 43 yards.
Sinisi, who surpassed former widout Miles Austin for first on the all-time leading scoring list with 222 points, finished with 171 yards (on 26 rushes) and a pair of touchdowns, his best effort this season. Burke was very efficient, finishing 13-of-15 for 150 yards and the one touchdown to Nalbone. Dowens, in his first game back from injury, led the Hawk receivers with 75 yards on two catches. Kiley finished with three catches for 37 yards.
Amsel led the Hawk defense with 11 solo tackles and the interception. Linebacker Jeff Brady (East Aurora, N.Y./St. Francis had eight stops, while Joe Valenti (Bayonne, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) finished with seven. Walsh finished with six tackles, five quarterback hurries and two sacks on the day.
Monmouth is on the road again next weekend, when it opens Northeast Conference play against Robert Morris on Sept. 27.
