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Monmouth University Athletics

Monmouth Football at Elon 10-21-23
Monmouth Athletics
26
Monmouth MON 3-4 , 2-2
28
Winner Elon ELO 4-4 , 4-1
Monmouth MON
3-4 , 2-2
26
Final
28
Elon ELO
4-4 , 4-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MON Monmouth 0 6 13 7 26
ELO Elon 14 7 0 7 28

Game Recap: Football |

MONMOUTH’S COMEBACK ATTEMPT FALLS SHORT AT ELON, 28-26

ELON, NC- Despite racking up 465 yards of offense and outscoring Elon (4-4, 4-1 CAA) 20-7 in the second half, Monmouth (3-4, 2-2 CAA) could not complete a late comeback ultimately falling 28-26 on Saturday at Rhodes Stadium.
 
Down 21-6 to start the second half, Monmouth scored back to back touchdowns in the third quarter to cut the lead to 21-19. Dymere Miller's 68-yard touchdown run was followed up by Sone Ntoh's 11th rushing touchdown of the season with 1:25 left in the third. Elon's Chandler Brayboy broke out a 41 yard run  to push the lead back to nine at the 12:21 mark of the fourth quarter. Marquez McCray drove the Hawks down the field, going 80 yards on eight plays, connecting with freshman Josh Derry for a 12-yard TD pass with 1:29 left. Monmouth's defense was able to get the ball back but with only six seconds remaining in the contest.  
 
The Phoenix went up quick 7-0 after hitting a 59-yard pass completion on the second play from scrimmage. A spectacular catch put Elon up 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Dymere Miller's 43-yard touchdown catch and run cut the lead to 14-6 with 11:27 remaining in the second quarter. A strip sack by Nick White which was recovered by Sam Korpoi set the Hawks up deep in Elon territory but Monmouth was unable to convert on fourth down from inside the redzone for the second time in the half. Elon QB Mathew Downing threw his third touchdown of the half, a 65-yard touchdown with 2:03 left in the half to put his squad ahead 21-6 at the break.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan
"It was unfortunate that we squandered too many opportunities to come out on top. You have to give Elon credit, they are a very good football team and their defense made us work for everything we got.  I thought we had some opportunities but weren't able to capitalize, especially down in the redzone. We were victimized by big plays in the pass the pass game on defense. The big plays are what turned the tide for us. In between those big plays we did a pretty good job on defense but you need to be consistent down after down if you are going to be on top."
  • With his second quarter touchdown reception Miller went over the 100-yard plateau for the eighth time in his career and the fourth time in 2023
  • Miller's TD reception also tied him for eighth all-time with 13 with Anthony Galella (1995-1998)
  • Monmouth recorded five sacks on the day and held the Phoenix to 93 yards rushing
  • Jaden Shirden recorded his 15th career 100-yard game, finishing with 110 yards on 19 carries
  • McCray was 23-of-37 for 246 with two touchdowns and an interception
  • Derry's touchdown was his first career collegiate score
  • The Phoenix scored all of their touchdowns on plays of 40+ yards 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
  • Monmouth held a 460-375 advantage in yardage gained
  • Eddie Morales led the Hawks with seven tackles
  • The Hawks were 3 of 12 on third down, Elon was 5 of 12
  • MU converted on two of four redzone opportunities
  • The Hawks had 22 first downs in the game
  • Monmouth recorded five penalties for 50 yards, Elon finished two for 21
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will continue its two-game road swing at William & Mary next Saturday.
 
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