MOON TWP., Pa.- Monmouth University (2-3, 1-0 NEC) picked up its first conference victory of the season with a 34-26 victory at Robert Morris on Saturday.
Holding onto an eight point lead late in the game, Monmouth running back David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) was stopped on a fourth and one run from the RMU 34, giving the Colonials one last shot to tie the game with 3:09 to play. On first down, Cwalinski's pass was almost intercepted by Jon Stolarz. A second down a rush by Russ set up third and three. MU senior David Kennedy (Fort Lee, N.J./Patterson Catholic) came up with a big sack on the next play, forcing RMU to use their second timeout and setting up a fourth and four. The Monmouth defensive line forced Cwalinski to move out of the pocket and throw up a desperation pass that was knocked away by defensive back Jose Gumbs (Queens, N.Y./Hebron Academy), sealing the MU win.
The game saw the Hawks post a season-high 456 yards of offense, while the two teams combined for over 200 yards of penalties.
After receiving the opening kick, quarterback Brett Burke (Wall, N.J./Wall) moved the Hawks to the RMU 40 on four plays, two of which were passes to tight end John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence). On third and eight from the RMU 28 yardline, Burke evaded pressure and hit Troy Yudin (Stevenson Ranch, Calif./William Hart) for an 18 yard gain, setting up a first and goal from the Colonial 10. After two straight David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) runs set up a third and goal, Burke dropped back and hit Nalbone in the right corner of the endzone to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead with 7:49 to go in the first. The 13-play, 72 yard drive covered 7:11 and marked the first time all season that Monmouth has scored on their opening drive.
The Hawks defense allowed the Colonials to get down to their own 30 but then stiffened up, forcing the game's first punt after Kevin Walsh sacked Erik Cwalinski on third and long. After a Hawk punt, Cwalinski completed a 45 yard pass to wideout Shadrae King, setting up first down on the MU 11. On third down Cwalinski evaded pressure from Garrett Culloo (Ocean, N.J./Ocean) and hit tight end Regis Flowers in the back of the endzone to tie the game with over 13 minutes to play in the half.
Burke used his legs to get the Hawks into Colonial territory on the following drive, turning a third and long into a 22 yard carry. On the next play, wide receiver Rodney Salomon (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro (Maine) took a reverse 36 yards toeing the line into the endzone to put the Hawks up 14-7 with 11:02 to play.
Back to back punts gave RMU the ball deep in their own territory but they quickly with a long pass and an impressive Miles Russ carry. Cwalinski and Flowers hooked up for a 15 yard completion and RMU had a first down on the MU 20. Two plays later Cwalinski hit James O'Quinn for the second Colonial TD. On the extra point, cornerback Ken Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) appeared to get a hand on the ball, forcing the ball to miss the upright left as MU held a 14-13 lead with 3:05 to play in the half.
The next MU drive seemed to be doomed after a personal foul call set up third and long but Colonial defensive end Mark Szymanski was flagged for roughing the passer to keep the drive alive. On the following second down, Burke went deep to Yudin, who stretched his arms over the endzone to score the Hawks' third touchdown. Robert Morris moved the ball to the Monmouth 35 but the drive stalled there and MU held a 21-13 edge going into the break.
RMU took over first in the second half, moving the ball well mostly on the legs of Russ but it was Cwalinski's 18 yard pass to Flowers that set up a first down on the Hawk 34. Two plays later Cwalinski connected with King for an 11 yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the end zone. On the ensuing two point conversion Amsel came up to cut down the runner at the two yard line, preserving the two point Monmouth lead.
A third down pass interference call helped the Hawks drive into RMU territory before wideout Chris Kiley (Pt. Pleasant, N.J./Pt. Boro) made a diving catch on third down to give his squad a fresh set of downs on the Colonial 30. Two straight third down conversions by Sinisi set up the Hawks with a first and goal situation from the nine, when the senior took the ball the rest of the way for his 36th career touchdown, putting the Hawks up 28-19 with 4:58 to go.
A 44-yard pass from Burke to Nick Romeo (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) set up a first and goal which led directly to a one-yard Bobby Giles (Burlington Twp., N.J./Burlington) touchdown. The TD marked the third straight game in which the redshirt sophomore tallied a rushing score. With over 14 minutes left in the game, MU led 34-19.
A 54 yard rush by Russ on first down on the ensuing possession set the Colonials up deep in Monmouth territory. Two straight Cwalinski completions put the ball on the Monmouth 13 before Russ took the ball off tackle to the right, bounced the ball outside and ran in untouched for Robert Morris' fourth score. After the four play-86 yard drive, RMU trailed 34-26 with 13:05 to play.
Burke finished with 211 yards through the air, his first 200-yard performance of the season. The fifth-year senior was 16 of 27 with a pair of touchdown passes. Sinisi claimed his fourth 100-yard rushing performance of the year, finished with a career-high 33 carries for 152 yards and one touchdown. Yudin led the wideouts with 71 yards, including his career-best 46 yard touchdown. Nalbone made six grabs for 42 yards, while Romeo ended up with 49 receiving yards including the 44 yarder. Salomon's touchdown came on the junior's first career rush, going for 36 yards.
Gumbs led the Hawks with eight tackles, including six solo stops. Falae also had eight tackles, with Joe Valenti (Bayonne, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) coming in with seven. Walsh finished with four tackles, including two sacks and two pass breakups.
Russ gashed the Monmouth defense for 205 yards on 25 carries for an average of 8.2 yards per carry. Cwalinski finished 11-for-23 with three touchdowns on 197 yards. Flowers led the Colonials in receptions with four for 53, while King registered 65 yards on three catches.
The Hawks will be back at home next weekend when they face St. Francis (Pa.) at Kessler Field for a 1 p.m. tilt.
