WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University (4-5, 2-4 CAA) dropped their straight contest, falling to Towson University (3-5, 1-4 CAA) in a back-and-forth game at Kessler Field on Saturday.
 
Monmouth, who trailed for the final 44 minutes of the contest, pulled within one score three times in the final eight minutes of the game but couldn't overcome Towson's offense. True freshman Enzo Arjona fired a 26-yard pass to Dre Tucker with 37 seconds left to close the gap to 52-48 but the Hawks were unable to recover the ensuing onsides kick.
 
Arjona became the fourth quarterback throw for multiple touchdowns in a debut, joining Tony Muskett, Brandon Hill and Dan Sabella who each had two TD passes. Arjona's three touchdown passes are the most for a Monmouth quarterback in his first start in program history.
 
The Hawks also got three touchdowns from sophomore Jaden Shirden, the nation's leading running back, as he collected 211 yards on the ground. Towson quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome had 216 yards passing and a touchdown while rushing for 41 yards and another.
 
MU was vexed by big plays, giving up a 61-yard touchdown pass and over 180 yards in kickoff returns including a 92-yard touchdown by D'Ago Hunter. Towson opened up a 12-7 lead but Jaden Shirden took off for 75 yards to give the Hawks a 14-12 lead with 6:16 left in the first quarter. It was the last lead for the Hawks as Towson kept pace just ahead of MU, holding a 42-26 advantage with 11:01 left to play. MU climbed to within eight on Dymere Miller's second TD pass of the game but the Tigers answered with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Hawks scored twice in the final 3:47 but it was not enough.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I thought our offense did an outstanding job. They gave us every possible chance to win the game, but unfortunately, we were not able to hold up on the other side of the ball. That's disappointing. I thought we were making progress and further ahead. We've got a lot of work to do, there's no question about it – particularly on the defensive side of the ball." Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan
 
"I thought he did an outstanding job for starting his first career game as a true freshman. The coaches did a great job putting together a gameplan that played to his strengths and maybe took some of the weight off his shoulders. He operated very well within that gameplan we were trying to go with today. That's a hell of a day putting up that many points with a first-time quarterback." Callahan on Enzo Arjona's first start
 
"It's really a matter of having pride. We've all started playing since we were seven-, eight-years old, and we have to get back to having fun playing the game we love. That means playing for each other, playing with passion, and playing with pride. Delaware is a good football team, so we have to come out and bring. We have to play like we want to win." Linebacker Da'Quan Grimes on playing next year
 
"The game plan was to keep the offense moving all day long. I feel like the offensive line did a great job today, and Enzo played very well for his first start, as well. In the end we came up just short." Jaden Shirden on Monmouth's running game
 

• Shirden's three touchdowns marked the second time this season a Monmouth player scored three TD's (Wright vs Fordham)
• Shirden's 211 rushing yards marked his third 200-yard game on the season and it was the 15^th 200-yard game in program history. 
• Shirden ran for a career-high three touchdowns, marking the second time this season a Monmouth player ran for three scores in a game (Owen Wright vs. Fordham). 
• Shirden increased his season total to 11 rushing touchdowns and he entered the top ten in program history for single season rushing touchdowns. 
• Shirden now has 1,365 rushing yards on the season, good for fifth in a single-season in program history.
• Owen Wright now has 15 rushing touchdowns on the season, the fifth most in a single season in team history.
• It took until the 13:26 mark of the third quarter first punt for Towson who scored on every drive except that one 

NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth outgained Towson, 484-479
• The Hawks were 7-of-11 on third down while Towson was 12-of-15
• Dymere Miller finished with eight catches for 99 yards and had 111 total yards with a pair of touchdown catches
• Ryan Kost had just two punts, averaging 51.5 yards per punt with a long of 56
• Da'Quan Grimes had a season high 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops
• Arjona finished throwing for 213 yards on 18-of-25 passing

UP NEXT
The Hawks will head to the road for one final time this season at Delaware. Information for the Hawks on the Road tailgate is available on MonmouthHawks.com