NORFOLK, Va.- Backed by running back David Sinisi's (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) career-high 41 carries, Monmouth University handed Old Dominion its first loss of the 2009 season, 31-28 Saturday night at Foreman Field.
SInisi recorded his third 200+ yard rushing performance, grinding out 216 yards on the 41 carries. He ran for a pair of scores while throwing another in the game that found his Hawks down 14-0 just 2:53 into the game. The Hawks overcame two special teams turnovers that led directly to ODU touchdowns.
The Monarchs scored on drives of six plays, three plays, three plays and one play, as Monmouth dominated the time of possession, 39:11-20:49. The Hawks were also 11-of-16 on third down, while the MU defense held ODU to just three-of-14. The fourth quarter belonged to Monmouth, who held the ball for 13:14 while outgaining the Monarchs 150-15, 109 coming from Sinisi's 17 carries in the period.
On Old Dominion's first possession, MU's defense could not get off the field on third down, with the second Monarch opportunity going for the game's first score. On third and 11, Old Dominion hit a slip screen to the wideout Nick Mayers who went untouched 55 yards for a TD with 13:05 to play. ODU's first drive went six plays 74 yards in just 1:55.
Disaster struck for the Hawks on the ensuing kickoff as ODU's Craig Wilkins stripped Bobby Giles (Burlington, N.J./Burlington) at the 29 yard line where the Monarch's recovered. Three plays later quarterback Thomas DeMarco connected with Carlos Davis for a seven yard touchdown pass and the Hawks trailed 14-0 with 12:07 to play.
After a botched onsides kick attempt went out of bounds, Monmouth took over at the ODU 41 yard line. MU's offense went to work led by redshirt freshman Kyle Frazier (Gaithersburg, Md./Damascus). The Hawks drove down the field quickly, cutting the lead to seven after David Sinisi went virtually untouched on third and short for eight yards and the score. The Hawk drive lasted five plays for 41 yards and took just 2:33 off the clock.
With the Monarch's driving again, junior Ken Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley Reg.) intercepted a DeMarco pass and returned it 55 yards up the left sideline to the ODU 30. The pick gave Amsel six in his career, moving him into ninth all-time at MU. The Hawk offense worked their way down to the Old Dominion nine yardline, but was stopped short on fourth and one.
In the final drive of the first quarter, a 43-yard Jack Daniels punt pinned ODU on their one, but the Monarch offense was able to drive out of their own end zone. With the drive stalling on the MU 18, Monarch kicker Drew Hereza to attempt a pass that was intercepted by Hawk linebacker Joe Valenti (Bayonne, N.J./St. Peter's Prep).
Moving the ball in large chunks, quarterback Andrew Mandeville (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) rolled out and scrambled for an eight-yard gain on a third and one, where he was upended one yard short of the ODU goaline. Two plays later Sinisi finished the drive with his 57th career touchdown, tying the game 14-14 with 7:36 to play in the half.
Monmouth kicker Jake DelVento (Toms River, N.J./Toms River South) gave the Hawks their first lead of the game, converting a 31 yard field goal on the first possession of the second half to give MU a 17-14 advantage.
With 4:35 to play in the third quarter, Old Dominion drove 50 yards on three plays to go up 21-17 on the Hawks. The Monarch drive was capped by a nine yard DeMarco draw.
Frazier was able to keep the MU drive alive with a career-high 25 yard run on third and five. Two plays later Sinisi found a wide open Giles, who went uncovered and untouched for a 24 yard touchdown, putting the Hawks back ahead with 1:31 to play in the third. It was Sinisi's fourth career touchdown pass and second of the season.
After Monmouth's defense held, the Hawks took over from their own 12. Sinisi busted a 52 yard run setting up MU on the Monarch 12. Two plays later Frazier hit tight end Tyler George (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Gov. Livingston) who plowed in from eight yards out to put the Blue & White ahead. The catch was George's, a redshirt freshman, second career touchdown reception. The drive covered 88 yards in nine plays, eating up 4:50.
The Hawks had their second miscue on special teams when Amsel muffed a punt with 7:01, and the ball was recovered by ODU. One play later Monarch Desmond Williams took the ball 15 yards to get the home squad within three with 6:56 to play.
The Hawks were able to drive on the next possession, mainly on the legs of Sinisi. On a key third and five Frazier
rolled out and hit Giles for a 12 yard pass play, giving the Hawks a fresh set of downs while running the clock out.
Sinisi led the Hawks with his 216 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 41 rushing attempts. He also threw for one score. Frazier, in his first career start, went 14-of-19 with 138 yards and a touchdown. Giles had a career-high four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. George also had a career-best three catches for 29 yards and a score.
Joe Cella (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) led the Hawks with seven tackles, while Kendall Haley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) finished with six stops. Valenti finished with an interception, three tackles and a sack. Amsel had the pick and two other pass breakups. Monmouth held a 430-382 advantage in total offensive yards.
DeMarco went 16-of-35 for 215 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for one more. Williams averaged 8.6 yards per carry, finishing with 44 yards on five carries and a touchdown.
Monmouth has a bye next week before hosting Wagner at 1 p.m. on Oct. 10.
