HOUSTON- Monmouth football alum Chris Hogan (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) became the first former Hawk to win a major sports championship when he helped the New England Patriots come from behind to win Super Bowl LI over the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 on Sunday night.
Hogan, who also is the first Monmouth football player to play in the Superbowl, finished with four receptions for 57 yards in the victory. Patriot quarterback Tom Brady brought New England back from the largest deficit in Superbowl history, scoring 31 consecutive points, while throwing for a game-record 466 yards. Hogan caught a pivotal 18 yard reception in overtime, setting the Patriots up with a first down on the Atlanta 37 yard line. Six plays later running back James White rushed around right end to pile in for the game-winning touchdown. The sixth-year NFL vet is in his first season with the New England Patriots after spending the previous four years with the Buffalo Bills.
The Wyckoff, NJ native 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. Two weeks ago in the AFC Championship game, Hogan set the Patriot record for receptions and yardage in a playoff game with nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns in New England's 36-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He caught passes of 22, 24, 26 and 39 yards in the win, also hauling in a pair of touchdowns (16 and 34 yards). 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).
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 on September 2, 2017.
