WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University's football team (1-0) opened up the Spring 2021 season with a 35-17 victory over Charleston Southern (0-2) Saturday at Kessler Stadium.
 
The Hawks had big days from almost every position on the field, including Juwon Farri who ran for 119 yards on a career-high 33 carries with a trio of touchdowns. True freshman Tony Muskett threw for 297 yards on 18-of-26 passing with two touchdowns. Junior Terrance Greene Jr  paced the wide receiving unit with 166 yards on five catches with a touchdown.
 
The defense was equally as impressive recording a trio of interceptions and five sacks. Junior Eddie Morales III led the team with eight tackles and an interception. In his first game with the Hawks, transfer defensive lineman Lorenzo Hernandez had five tackles, a pair of sacks and a pass breakup.
 
Monmouth went up 7-0 on their first drive of the game after Muskett found Greene Jr who shook off two tackles for a 70-yard touchdown. After CSU's first drive yielded a field goal, the Hawks responded with a six-play 76-yard drive that was capped by a six yard-Farri TD. Farri broke off a 26 yard run to put MU up 21-3 but CSU QB Jack Chambers engineered a 13-play, 97 yard drive that ended in a 16 yard TD pass to cut the Hawk halftime lead to 11.
 
The Hawks scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to take a commanding 35-10 lead, first on a two-yard touchdown run by Farri with 3:01 left in the half. On the ensuing CSU drive Justin Terry intercepted Chambers at the Buccaneer 20. One play later Muskett hit sophomore Assanti Kearney on a touchdown strike. CSU scored the final touchdown of the game before the Hawks came away with their first win of 2021.
 
 
NOTES & QUOTES
 
"I thought it was a balanced effort in terms of offense and defense. When we forced turnovers the offense responded with scores. To not have a game in as long as it has been and to come back here to Kessler Field and extend our home winning streak; it really makes these guys happy. They wanted to make every opportunity they got this year count and I think they did that today." -Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan
 
"I felt completely comfortable out there. Going against this defense in practice, it's a challenge every day. When I got out there at first a few butterflies after that first touchdown I just felt comfortable in our offense and our team." Quarterback Tony Muskett
 
"I think what you saw was a group that was very opportunistic. That led to scores that kind of created the separation in the game and reestablished us on top." -Head Coach Kevin Callahan on the defense forcing turnovers
 

• Monmouth is now 18-1 at home since opening Kessler Stadium in 2017. During that time the Hawks are also 15-2 in Big South play
• The Hawk offense has outscored opponents 783-482 at home since 2017, a scoring margin of 41.21 vs 25.36 points per game
• Muskett became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Hawks since Doug Rossback started against Sacred Heart in 1993.
• Muskett threw for more yards than any other Monmouth QB in their debut, with Dan Sabella's 263 yards in a 1994 win over Wagner coming in second
• Muskett is just the third Monmouth QB to throw for 2 touchdowns in his debut and just the fifth QB to get a win in his first start
• Juwon Farri ran for 100+ yards for the seventh time in his career, which is tied for the sixth most in school history
• Budd recorded his seventh career interception which ties him for seventh overall with Rob Lomoriello and Mike Pitts
• Eddie Morales picked up his first career interception in the game
• Justin Terry recorded his 29^th career pass defended which moved him up to tie with Aaron Edwards for fourth all-time at Monmouth. He also recorded his third career interception
• Monmouth is now officially 4-1 all-time against Charleston Southern and have won four straight contests against the Buccaneers

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth out-gained CSU 470-369, while the Hawk defense held the Buccaneers to 28 yards on 27 attempts
• The MU offense gained 173 yards on 45 rushing attempts
• The Hawks held a 20-19 edge in first downs and were 8-of-17 on third down
• Monmouth held the ball 33:40 compared to 26:20 for the Buccaneers
• CSU was just 1-of-4 in fourth down conversions
• Hawk punter Ryan Kost unleashed a career-long 55 yarder in the third quarter
• Farri also caught a pass, giving him 128 all-purpose yards
• Greene led the Hawks with 170 all-purpose yards
• Chambers threw for 341 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions to lead CSU

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Gardner-Webb to face the 2-0 Runnin' Bulldogs at 12 PM next Saturday. That game will air on ESPN+.