WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University, ranked 20^th coming into the contest, handed Kennesaw State 42-17 loss at Kessler Stadium to win its second consecutive Big South Conference Championship on Saturday.
 
With the victory, the Hawks earn the league's automatic qualifier to the 2021 Spring NCAA Playoffs. Monmouth will learn its opponent on April 18 at 11:30 during the selection show. Monmouth is now 18-1 all-time at home since the opening of Kessler Stadium in 2017, avenging the lone loss to the Owls that season.
 
The Monmouth defense held the second-ranked rushing attack in the country to 161 yards on 48 carries while forcing a pair of turnovers and recording six sacks. The Hawks didn't allow a touchdown until the game was put away, with Kennesaw scoring their first touchdown with 6:08 to play in the fourth quarter.
 
The offense was equally as impressive as MU built a 35-3 lead, with freshman Tony Muskett throwing for 290 yards on 19-of-23 passing with a career-high four TDS. Redshirt sophomore Juwon Farri had 179 yards on the ground and a pair of scores, including a 48-yard TD jaunt in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The Hawks had two wideouts over 100-yards receiving with Lonnie Moore catching eight for 124 and two scores and Terrance Greene Jr. recording 119 yards on five catches with a touchdown.
 
Senior Erik Massey led the defense with nine tackles, a sack and 1.4 TFLs. Junior Tyrese Wright had eight tackles and a fumble recovery as the Hawks racked up nine tackles for a loss on the day. Senior Kahari Scarlett had led the squad with two sacks.
 
 
Notes & Quotes
"I could not be happier with the performance our guys put forth. I thought it was a dominating performance in every phase of the game. I think it started with our defense and our ability shut their triple option offense down and really take control of it, and offensively we never really missed a beat." Monmouth Head Coach Callahan
 
"We have talked about him before after week one and what he's been able to do as a true freshman, playing in only his third collegiate game right now. When you take a game that is of the magnitude of this one, playing for a conference championship, an undefeated season at home and for a bid to the NCAA playoffs . For him to come out and go to work, take what is given to him and not get rattled and make some big plays while he's doing that, I think that speaks a lot to his maturity and also his talent." Coach Callahan on Tony Muskett
 
"This was a statement game for us. Last year we won the Big South. We matched that standard, but this is a statement game for all teams in the FCS. I definitely think we're overlooked but clearly we're showing we can do it." Senior Defensive End Eric Massey
 
"Our offensive line has done great things in both the run game and the pass game. We've been together so long, we are all on the same page. The communication is there and we are just locked in. The offensive has just been tremendous" Lonnie Moore on the play of the offensive line
 

• After Monmouth's opening drive ended in a missed field goal, the Hawk offense kicked in gear scoring four consecutive touchdowns to take a 28-3 lead with 1:35 left in the second quarter
• Kennesaw State's longest drive of the game was 12 plays for 38 yards, taking up 5:56, ending in a field goal in the first quarter
• The MU defense forced three three-and-outs while KSU had four drives of less than nine yards
• Muskett threw touchdown passes of five, 43, 72 and five yards in the game
• It was the third time that Greene and Moore went over 100-yards in a game, with the duo last achieving the feat in the 2019 regular season finale against Hampton
• Farri eclipsed the 100-yard plateau for the third time this season, giving him nine in his 14 career games which is tied for fourth with former Hawk Lavon Chaney
• Monmouth did not punt until the 12:31 mark in the third quarter
• Tight end Gene Scott caught the first TD of the game to put the Hawks up 7-0, his second career touchdown
• The 72-yard pass to Greene Jr was the longest TD reception of his career. It was the second time in three weeks that Muskett found Greene Jr for a 70 yard scoring strike
• Farri now has nine touchdowns in three games, including scores against KSU of 29 and 48 yards
• Prior to their last two drives the game, Kennesaw had 251 yards of total offense
• Monmouth has now gone 17-2 in conference play since the 2017 season, including winning 10 consecutive games in that span

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Kennesaw held the time of possession 31:58 to 28:02
• The Hawks went 4-of-9 on third down and were 1-for-1 on fourth down
• KSU was 6-of-15 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down
• Monmouth averaged 8.6 yards per play on offense
• The Hawks did not turn the ball over for the second time this season, MU which came into the game ranked first in turnover margin was +2 with an interception and fumble recovery
• Musket threw just four incompletions (82%) in the contest
• Kennesaw State attempted 18 passes against the Hawks, the most since last year's game against Monmouth
• Eddie Hahn recorded his first career interception with the Hawks, also finishing with eight tackles and a sack
• The Hawks have outscored opponents 825-499 at home since 2017, an average of 41.25 to 24.95

 
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will close out the regular season on the road against Big South newcomer Robert Morris next Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 12 PM and it will air on ESPN+.