WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University's football team wrapped its 10^th day of spring practice with a scrimmage which included big plays by both the offense and defense.
 
Fans in attendance were treated to touchdowns, sacks, interceptions and special teams work by both the place kick and punt units.
 
"I thought there was good give and take on both sides of the ball. Both the offense and defense made plays out here," said Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan. "What you really want to see in any intersquad scrimmage is good balance and back and forth. If one side completely dominates it is not necessarily good. I think we had good balance out here and the guys did a really good job of competing and playing clean for the most part. We had some penalties we need to clean up but they played with good technique and executed from an assignment standpoint."
 
The 2023 Spring season will culminate with the Annual Blue/White Spring Showcase next Sunday at Kessler Stadium. Monmouth's marketing team will have a prize wheel, giveaways and a there will be a post-game autograph session. Admission is free and the showcase begins at 1PM.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"From an offensive standpoint I was really happy what we saw from Rodney Nelson today. I thought he showed explosiveness, he showed quickness and toughness in getting difficult yards." Callahan on the play of Rodney Nelson today
 
"On the defensive side I really like the maturity and the leadership that Jake Brown is bringing to the unit. He plays very physical and very fasts and that is what you want to see at the linebacker position. We have two freshman who just enrolled in January in Aiden Martin and Dana Johnson in the secondary. I think they are both doing a good job, they are not perfect by a long shot at this point but I like the progress they are making. They are demonstrating that they have the ability and the skills to make plays." – Callahan on some of the defensive newcomers
 
"For me, I just want to focus on extending the play. Being more consistent on route running, getting open for our new quarterbacks. I want to upgrade myself as much as I can, breaking tackles, winning one-on-ones so I can be a reliable target." – Senior wideout Assanti Kearney on what he's working on this Spring
 
"That was against my boy Eddie (Morales). We've been competing all Spring, he's got me a few times, it was one of those times I made a good play against him. It's a competitive atmosphere out here, I think the DB's do a good job of giving us a lot of opportunities to get better. It's a competitive environment out, we work, we talk a little trash. On the touchdown I built a little separation because I knew he'd be outside on me, I've been going outside on him a lot. I just went inside and Quez (McCray) knew just where to put the ball." Kearney on his first touchdown and the competition during spring ball between wide receivers and defensive backs.
 

• Quarterback competition continues to replace Tony Muskett with sophomore Enzo Arjona and graduate-student Marquez McCray leading the front. The roster also features junior Frankie Savino, sophomore Christian Solino and freshman Zack Hios.
• Senior wideout Assanti Kearney had two touchdown receptions in the scrimmage including one in the redzone period.
•  The Monmouth secondary is poised to be one of the best and most experienced units, especially with the return of graduate-student Eddie Morales. Morales, who has had a number of interceptions in team situations this Spring, also blocked a field goal attempt on Saturday.
• Monmouth recently had seven players named to the Hampshire Honor Society, which honors collegiate football players who are seniors and graduate-students with a 3.2 grade point average while being significant contributors on the field. Morales, Will Argo, Ryan Moran, Tyler Williams and MU graduates Owen Wright, Justin Szuba and Nick Shoemaker all were named.
• The run of the day came from freshman Rodney Nelson who took off on the right side, making two defenders miss before getting tackled on the five after a 25-yard gain. Nelson displayed speed, vision and a bit of power on the run.
• Monmouth's offensive line still has some time to solidify before fall camp but graduate student-athletes Tyler Williams, Greg Anderson, Will Argo and Jordan Hall were all part of the first unit. Junior Adrian Hawkins and senior JT Cornelius took reps at right tackle with the top unit.

 
NEST NOTES

• Nine of Monmouth's December signees enrolled in the Spring, including true freshmen Hios, Logan Barnes, Aiden Martin, Dana Johnson and Nelson. Johnson had a pass break-up and an interception after linebacker Caleb Dennis tipped a pass over the middle.
• Rodney Nelson, a one-time James Madison commit, is the brother of sophomore wide receiver Gavin Nelson who also figures to be in the rotation.
•  Speaking of Hawk brothers Nick White, younger brother of Monmouth's all-time leading receiver Reggie White Jr., made his Blue & White scrimmage debut. White, a graduate transfer, starred for Division II Gannon University for four seasons before coming to West Long Branch.
• Owen Wright's draft watch has heated up after the running back turned in solid numbers at Monmouth and Maryland's pro days. He has gone on visits to the Baltimore Ravens, NY Giants and NY Jets in the last 10 days.
• Monmouth fans will want to keep an eye on Sunday's USFL slate as four former Hawks will be in action. Former MU QB Kenji Bahar has been named as the starter for the Houston Gamblers – he will face off against former Hawk linebacker Christian Runza who is the linebacker's coach for the Michigan Panthers. The duo will faceoff at 12 PM on NBC and Peacock. Pete Guerriero and Matt White will play for the New Orleans Breakers at 6:30 PM on FS1.

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth is back on the field for practice 11 on Tuesday morning.