WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Powered by sophomore running back Pete Guerriero's (Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst) 155 total yards and two touchdowns in his first career game, the Monmouth University football team ran past Lafayette during the first game in the Hawks' brand new Kessler Stadium, 31-12. Sophomore quarterback completed 22 of his 30 passes for 243 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown strike to junior wide receiver Reggie White Jr. (Randallstown, MD/Milford Mill Academy) who totaled eight receptions and 120 yards on the afternoon. All-American safety Mike Basile (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) added nine tackles, an interception, and a blocked kick recovery in the win. The Hawks earned a season-opening win for the second consecutive year, and will host Lehigh next Saturday at 1:00 PM.

NOTES AND QUOTES

Coach Kevin Callahan
"As a team, both sides of the ball including special teams were really anxious and ready to play some outside competition. I was happy with the way we played defense throughout the game. We saw a new running back come on the scene and have a big day. The offense really got on tract in the second half There are some areas we need to improve but overall I am very happy with the win and it was a great way to open the Kessler Stadium."

Kenji Bahar on overcoming the slow start

"We got the run going, that helps a lot. I felt like I got in a rhythm with short easy throws and then we took it deep and had Pete on the ground. But the first half everybody started slow, started a little rusty. The second half I knew I needed to come out and bring my team up."

Pete Guerriero on scoring the first touchdown in the Monmouth Stadium history

"We were waiting for that moment on offense to get the flow going and score for the first time. Especially in the new stadium, with the 25 years. It took the weight off our shoulders and were able to keep it going from there."

-Lafayette ended up in a 3^rd and 6 situation on the opening drive of the game, and senior Agbai Iroha halted the drive with a sack and eight-yard loss to bring up 4^th and 14.

-On the Leopard's second drive of the game, senior All-American Mike Basile intercepted Sean O'Malley's pass and returned it four yards to set up the Hawks at Lafayette's 20-yard line. However, Lafayette's Phillip Parham picked off Bahar's pass two plays later near the endzone to regain possession.

-Lafayette attempted a 23-yard field goal to open the second quarter, but the kick was blocked by Monmouth's Kamau Dumas. Basile recovered the block and returned it three yards to the 18.

-After Monmouth's defense came up big again late in the second half, Dumas returned a punt 15 yards to the Hawks' 36 yard line. Bahar quickly completed a pass to the running back Guerriero to get Monmouth to the 50. 

 -With 34 seconds left in the half, sophomore running back Pete Guerriero scored his first career touchdown on a 16-yard run up the middle. The Hawks took a 7-0 lead after the 10-play, 64-yard drive that included a 15-yard Shawn Clark catch on 4^th and 2.

-Monmouth marched right down the field to open the second half with a touchdown. Starting at its own 25-yard line, Guerriero rushed for 15 yards on the first two plays of the drive. Bahar hit WR Reggie White Jr. for an 18-yard pass and a 17-yard on the drive, and running back Devell Jones punched it in from six yards out for his first career touchdown, giving Monmouth the 14-0 lead.

-The Leopards quickly answered with a touchdown of their own, as O'Malley tossed a 17-yard pass to Matt Mrazek. Lafayette missed the extra point, however, making the score 14-6.

-Using a 30-yard flea flicker pass play from Bahar to tight end Jake Powell to move down the field, the Hawks took the 21-6 lead on Bahar's six-yard touchdown pass to White Jr.

-With 11 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, White Jr. hauled in a 50-yard pass from Bahar down the sideline, setting Monmouth up for an eventual 19-yard Matt White field goal. The Hawks led 24-6 with 5:43 left in the game.

-Guerriero sealed the Monmouth win after a 47-yard touchdown dash with 2:45 remaining.

NUMBERS CRUNCH

-In the second quarter, Monmouth outgained the Leopards 117 to 14.

-Reggie White Jr. moved to fifth in program history with 13 touchdown receptions.

-The total attendance for the first game in Kessler Stadium reached 3,898.

-Tight end Jake Powell was second on the team with four catches and 49 yards.

-Monmouth ended the contest with 418 total yards (417 in the final three quarters).

-The Hawks outgained the Leopards on the ground, 175 yards to -1.

-Safety Teddie Martinez grabbed his sixth career interception.

-The Hawks were 4-11 on third down and 1-3 on fourth down.

-Basile recorded his eighth career interception, tying him for fifth all-time with Joe Johnson and Aaron Edwards

- Senior linebacker Agbai Iroha had six tackles, including three for a loss in the first half alone

UP NEXT

The Hawks will remain at Kessler Stadium for a matchup with Lehigh next Saturday, September 9. Last season in Bethlehem, Monmouth took down the Mountain Hawks by a score of 23-21 in the season opener.