WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Former Monmouth University wide receiver/defensive back and current New England Patriot Chris Hogan (Ramapo, NJ/Ramapo) will be the first Hawk to play in a Super Bowl after setting the franchise record for postseason receiving yards in Sunday's AFC Championship game.
Hogan, who played his only season of collegiate football for Monmouth in 2010, finished with nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns in New England's 36-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ramapo, NJ native caught passes of 22, 24, 26 and 39 yards in the win, also hauling in a pair of touchdowns (16 and 34 yards). Hogan caught 180 of quarterback Tom Brady's 384 passing yards and two of three TDs.
The sixth year NFL pro played three seasons of lacrosse at Penn State before transferring to Monmouth to pursue his graduate degree and play football. He came in as a wide receiver but was pressed into duty as a defensive back after injuries decimated the cornerback position. He emerged as a big play threat for the Hawks, scoring three touchdowns on his 12 catches, including a 17 yard TD reception on his first collegiate catch. With his wide receiver playing time cut due to increased reps at corner, Hogan continued to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball finishing with three interceptions and 28 tackles.
He signed with the Patriots prior to this season, starting his career with the 49ers, Giants and Miami Dolphins before emerging as a legitimate NFL target with the Buffalo Bills from 2012-2015. Hogan is not the first Hawk to set an NFL franchise record as recent Monmouth Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee Miles Austin III set the Dallas Cowboy's receiving record in a 2009 game against Kansas City. The 10-year NFL vet had a 10-catch 250-yard day, capping the effort with a 60 yard touchdown in overtime to earn the win.
Hogan is one of three current Hawks in the NFL joined by tight ends Neal Sterling (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Hakeem Valles (Arizona Cardinals). Hogan and the Patriots will face the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XLI on February 5 in Houston, Texas.
Monmouth, which begins its 25th year of football in 2017, has broken ground on Monmouth Stadium which is slated to be completed by the home opener. The offseason conditioning program begins for the Blue & White tomorrow while the newest class of Hawks will be announced live on ESPN3 for the third consecutive year on February 1.
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