WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth safety Jose Gumbs (Queens, N.Y./Hebron Academy) was named Northeast Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.

The redshirt junior earns his first STPOW award just one week after garnering Defensive Player of the Week honors.  Known mostly for his defensive prowess, Gumbs produced a pair of gems on special teams in Monmouth's NEC victory over Saint Francis (PA).  His fumble recovery and his successful fake-punt both led to scores in the Hawks' 19-7 home win. 

With Monmouth punting while holding a 6-0 second-quarter advantage, he gave the Hawks a chance to add to their lead when Darvin Henderson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) stripped the Red Flash punt returner and Gumbs  snatched the ball out of the air at Saint Francis' 10-yard line.  Playing on punt team, the 5-foot-11 strong safety came through again early in the third quarter.  It appeared Monmouth's first drive of the second half had stalled with a 4th-and-4 at its own 41-yard line, but Gumbs took a fake punt and rushed 14 yards into Saint Francis territory.  Both of Gumbs' special team's plays resulted in points for MU.

Gumbs, who won last week's NEC Defensive Player award for his performance against Bryant, made five tackles and an interception for the Hawks defense against Saint Francis (PA).  

Monmouth, who is now 3-4 on the season and 3-1 in NEC play, will host Sacred Heart on Homecoming this Saturday at 1 p.m.