HUNTSVILLE, TX- Monmouth University's football team (3-1) scored 15 unanswered fourth-quarter points and had a chance to take the lead with under a minute to play but could no close out #4 Sam Houston (7-0) on Saturday in the First Round of the 2020-21 FCS Playoffs.
 
Trailing 21-0 heading into the final quarter the Hawks scored on back to back drives then forced a stop to get the ball back with 4:20 left in the game. Down by six the Hawks went to work from their own 25. Freshman quarterback Tony Muskett drove the Hawks down to the Sam Houston nine yard line but on fourth down was intercepted in the endzone with 48 seconds remaining.
 
The Hawks outgained the Bearkats 398-257 but Sam Houston's defense made it difficult for the Hawks to break open large chunks of yardage ono explosive plays. Monmouth freshman quarterback Tony Muskett tied a career-high with 297 yards with a touchdown and his first two career interceptions. Big South Offensive Player of the Year Juwon Farri had 25 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown while Terrance Greene Jr. led the receiving effort with nine receptions for 94 yards and a score.
 
The defense forced three sacks and held Sam Houston, who came into the game ranked second fourth in scoring at 44.8 points per game, to 254 yards less than their average. Justin Terry led the Hawks with seven tackles while Da'Quan Grimes had five stops and a sack. Sophomore Tyrese Wright also chipped in with five tackles. Out of Sam Houston's five second-half drives, our ended in punts after five or less plays.
 
Sam Houston took a 7-0 lead on their second possession after a bad snap on a punt gave the Bearkats the ball on the Monmouth 47. Sam Houston's Eric Schmid found wideout Cody Chrest on third down for a 13-yard score.
 
Monmouth threatened, driving down to the SHSU 13 but the Hawks first turnover in three games ended their best opportunity to score in the first half. On a third and one Sam Houston running back Ramon Jefferson ran for 56 yards to the house to put the home team up 14-0 with just over four minutes to play in the opening half. Until that point in the game the Bearkats had just 55 yards of total offense.
 
The teams traded punts to start the third quarter but the Bearkats extended their lead to 21-0 on a one-yard TD run by Jefferson. It took Sam Houston just five plays to score after a 24-yard Jefferson run and a 52 yard pass completion.
 
The Hawks scored their first touchdown of the game with 13:09 left in the fourth quarter on a one-yard Juwon Farri run. The drive, which covered 90 yards on 17 plays and took 8:12 off the clock. Tight end Gene Scott piled in for the two-point conversion and Monmouth cut the deficit to 21-8.
 
Monmouth pulled to within 21-15 when Muskett hit Terrance Greene for a wide open on a 30 yard touchdown strike with 5:58 remaining.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I'm just very, very proud of our team for the way they played, the resiliency we showed and how they responded to the aversity after going down 21-0." Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan said.
 
"I think we've shown we can compete at a national level now. I think were a lot different than 2019. We're motivated and we're already talking about coming back and getting ready for the fall." – Senior Linebacker Da'Quan Grimes
 
"For a true freshman he has a level of maturity you don't often see. He's composed on the field he's able to communicate and he was playing against a tough defensive front, I think they sacked him six times and had a dozen tackles for loss, but he's a competitor. He just keeps coming back and I think those four games he was able to play this spring will prove to be incredibly valuable as he moves forward." – Coach Callahan on Tony Muskett
 

• The Hawks held the Bearkats to -1 yards on their first possession after an Erik Massey sack
• Muskett committed his first career turnover with the Hawks driving on a third down interception. It was his first interception in 93 pass attempts
• At halftime Monmouth held a 158-118 advantage in net yardage
• The Hawks were without the use of senior Kahari Scarlett, the team's leader in sacks
• The 90-yard, 17 play drive was the longest of the season for the Hawks
• The game was the first time this season the Hawks didn't force a turnover
• Erik Massey, Kurt Aumer and Da'Quan Grimes all registered sacks for the defense
• Punter Ryan Kost averaged 47.7 yards per punt with a long of 57, three of 50+ yards and two inside the 20
• Muskett finishes with nine touchdowns and two interceptions in his freshman campaign
• Sam Houston quarterback Eric Schmid was 12-of-24 for 133 yards and a touchdown
• Jefferson finished with 95 yards on nine carries, including the 56 yard touchdown jaunt

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth dominated the time of possession 39:41 to 29:19
• Juwon Farri led the Hawks in all purpose yards with 104 yards
• Sam Houston's defense had six sacks and 15 tackles for a loss
• Lonnie Moore IV had eight receptions for 88 yards while Zach Tredway had five for 79
• The Hawks were 9-of-22 on third down while SHU was 4-of-13
• Each team committed seven penalties
• Monmouth was two-of-five on fourth down

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth finishes the season with 3-1 mark after winning their second straight Big South Championship.