WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- It took seven overtimes to decide Monmouth's (4-4, 2-2 CAA) homecoming game against #19 Rhode Island (5-2, 3-1 CAA), with the Rams coming out on top 48-46.
 
Deadlocked at 35-35, each team scored a one-yard touchdown in the first overtime period. Monmouth's defense got a stop on the second overtime but a deadball 15-yard penalty put the offense at odds and the opportunistic Ram defense came away with an interception on second down ending the Hawks' chance at winning on that drive.
 
Each team scored in the third OT while defenses held firm in overtimes four and five. Justin Marcus scored to tie the game up at 46-46 in the sixth overtime but it was a Kasim Hill to Ed Lee slant that ultimately won the game for URI as stopped the Hawks on the previous play.
 
The Rams struck first on a five-yard Marques DeShields touchdown reception to finish an 11-play 54-yard drive after stopping the Hawks at midfield. The Hawks answered back quickly, with Muskett finding Assanti Kearney for 47-yard completion. Two plays later Muskett found Dymere Miller in the endzone from 13 yards out to knot the game at 7-7 in the first quarter.
 
Monmouth took a 21-14 lead midway through the second quarter after scores by Ugo Obasi and Jaden Shirden. Two plays after Shirden's TD, Hill tied the game up on a one-yard run one play after tossing a 74-yard pass to Ed Lee. Davis Smith's interception late in the second quarter set up Eric Bernstein's 26-yard field goal as time expired to give the Hawks a 24-21 lead heading into the break.
 
Rhode Island took their second lead of the game on a three-yard DeShields touchdown early in the third, giving the Rams a 28-24 advantage. Bernstein nailed a short field goal to cut the URI to one going into the final quarter.
 
Momentum swung back in the Hawks direction when TJ Kamara recorded the third interception of the game in the endzone. The Hawks marched 80 yards on 12 plays, salting away 6:08 off the clock with Muskett hitting Darrion Carrington for a 34-yard strike. With the score 33-28, Monmouth elected to go for two with Muskett finding Carrington wide open in the back of the endzone to put the Hawks ahead by a touchdown with 6:03 remaining.
 
URI responded on the next drive when Hill found a wide open DeShields for a 73-yard catch and run to tie the game up 35-35.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
Callahan: On the game and anticipation for next week
"We never quit; we never gave up. It's tough to lose a game like that, but you can't spend too much time groaning about it. The next game is bigger than the last game, and that's the way this conference is. We don't have any time to feel sorry for ourselves. When you play in the CAA, there's a quality opponent each and every week. Our focus needs to be on the next game."
 
TJ Kamara: On defensive performance
"We fought hard to the very end. The whole unit made plays. We had sacks, interceptions and made key tackles. It was an all-around day for the defense, and the offense held it down for us as well."
 
Darrion Carrington: On 34-yd touchdown catch
"When our offense has the opportunity to make a play, it's going to come. You just have to wait your turn. The offensive line worked hard up front and Tony got the ball out on time. The least I could do at that point was to make a play on the ball."
 

• Muskett extended his nation-leading consecutive games with a touchdown in the first quarter to 23 consecutive games
• Davis Smith's two interceptions is a career-high for the redshirt senior, and the first Hawk to record two interceptions since Anthony Budd had a pair against UAlbany in 2019.
• Jaden Shirden eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the sixth time this season and the sixth time in the last seven games. He finished with 141 yards on 23 carries
• Assanti Kearney had his third career 100-yard game, finishing with six receptions for 105 yards
• The seven overtime periods constitutes the longest game that the Hawks have played
• It is the first loss on homecoming for the Hawks since 2017

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth was six of 15 on third down and three of five on fourth down
• The Hawks had 486 yards of total offense but the Rams finished 530
• Tony Muskett had 15 carries for 69 yards
• Thomas Joe-Kamara led the Hawks with nine tackles and an interception
• Rhode Island had a 74-yard pass, a 73-yard pass and 45 yard run
• Hill finished with 352 yards on 14 completions

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will host Towson on Family Weekend next Saturday. Tickets for the 1 PM game are on sale at MonmouthHawks.com/tickets