WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University's football team was selected fifth in
the 2010 NEC Preseason Coach's Poll, while four individuals were named to the
Preseason All-NEC Team.
Defending champion Central Connecticut State was the favorite to repeat, while
Robert Morris was second, University at Albany third, Wagner College fourth
just ahead of the Hawks. Bryant,
Duquesne, Sacred Heart and Saint Francis (Pa.) rounded out the poll. The poll is voted on by the league's nine
head coaches.
The fifth place preseason ranking is the lowest the Hawks have been picked
since the 2003 season when the coaches chose Monmouth seventh. That year MU finished with a 10-1 record and
won a share of the Northeast Conference Championship.
The Hawks placed four of the 25 spots on the preseason All-NEC Team. On offense, Monmouth was represented by
fifth-year senior
Shawn Wright (Fort Washington, Md./DeMatha Catholic). The Hawks had three defensive players on the
team, with seniors Dave Ogden (Wayne,
N.J./Wayne HIlls) and Kendall Haley
(Olney, Md./Good Council) and junior Jose
Gumbs (Queens, N.Y./Hebron Academy).
Wright makes his third straight appearance on the NEC Preseason team and has
been an all-league selection at right guard each of his first three seasons
with the Hawks. In the offseason, the
mainstay on offensive line was named team captain for a second straight year. Ogden, a senior defensive end, is coming off
his best season in 2009. He led the
Hawks in tackles for a loss and sacks last year with four and 10, respectively. Ogden was also fifth on the team in tackles
with 47 takedowns.
Both of Monmouth's safeties were represented on the team, with Gumbs most
likely moving back to safety next to Haley after playing linebacker for a
number of games last season. The duo
finished the year one-two in tackles on the Hawks. Haley a First Team All-NEC selection a year ago,
was second on the Hawks with three interceptions and four pass breakups. Gumbs, the reigning NEC Defensive Player of
the Year, has led Monmouth in tackles in each of the last two seasons and
brings a physical presence to the Hawks.
He was also chosen as a captain by his teammates after spring practice
concluded.
The NEC also announced that five NEC Football games will be televised,
featuring all nine team members with the full schedule to be released later
this month. For the first time in
history the 2010 NEC Champion will gain an automatic bid to the Football
Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
Monmouth begins practice on Tuesday, August 10
th and will face
defending Patriot League Champion Colgate in the 2010 opener on Sept. 4th at 6
p.m. in Hamilton, N.Y.
2010 NEC PRESEASON COACH'S POLL (First
Place Votes)
1. Central Conn. St. (4)
2. Robert Morris (3)
3. Albany (1)
4. Wagner (1)
5. Monmouth
6. Bryant
7. Duquesne
8. Sacred Heart
9. Saint Francis (PA)
