WEST LONG BRANCH- Monmouth University's football team wrapped up the 2023 spring practice season with an 86-play scrimmage on Sunday afternoon at Kessler Stadium.
NOTES & QUOTES
"I liked the way we played. I liked the intensity, the excitement on the field. The defense ran around and pursued to the ball very well, and they tackled well today. Offensively, we hit a couple of big plays." –
Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan.
"The thing that they showed was really good competition this spring. I think they both had days where they looked really good. It was back and forth there, the combination of the two of them was very good. And they will continue to battle, into preseason camp as well." –
Coach Callahan on the QB competition between Enzo Arjona and Marquez McCrary
"We don't really let the competition affect us. We're still fighting together, we support each other all the way through. Obviously, it's a competition and at the end only one player is going to be on the field, but I feel very confident. We're both competing on and off the field." –
Enzo Arjona
"I just think of myself as a point guard, getting the ball to the playmakers in a lot of different ways."
- Marquez McCray on how the offense suits his playing ability
"We steadily improved on the defensive side of the ball. The best practices defensively were towards the end of spring ball. That is a sign that you are moving forward and doing the right things. We are not where we need to be yet but we are on the right path." –
Coach Callahan on the progress of the defense
- The game's first touchdown came when Enzo Arjona connected with speedster Gavin Nelson for a 34-yard strike on fourth and eight.
- All-American running back Jaden Shirden took off on the first play from scrimmage for a 42-yard gain, one of his two carries on the day.
- The defensive backfield recorded a number of pass breakups including multiple from Mike Reid and a key PBU in the endzone by Jude Umanakwe.
- Damir McCrary flew around the field from his linebacker position. The sophomore had a sack early on and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
- The catch of the day came from rising junior Chris Kessler who tore the ball away from a defender who was draped on him for a 23-yard completion from Marquez McCray.
- The defense dialed up a number of blitzes with linebacker Caleb Dennis recording an early third down sack. JMU transfer Antonio Colclough also recorded a sack and was disruptive on a number of other plays.
- Running back Jamir Barnes, who missed much of spring battling injuries, had some tough runs in between the tackles to keep the chains moving.
- Pat Hayden, rising sophomore Bryce Rooks and freshman Logan Barnes all made plays from the interior of the defensive line.
- One successive plays Reid, an All-CAA cornerback last season, recorded a sack and shut down a screen for a loss.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Sophomore running back Makhi Green showed his speed on the edge, the same speed that was recorded at a sub 4.3 in the 40 in high school. Later in the scrimmage he picked up 32 yards on back to back plays using his speed to run away from defenders.
- One quarterback scored a touchdown on the ground- Frankie Savino powered off tackle left for a five-yard TD.
- Linebacker Remi Johnson had the game's only interception
- Eric Bernstien converted a 42-yard field goal
2023 TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets for 2023 are on sale now, the Hawks will host Campbell, Lehigh, Hampton, Stony Brook and New Hampshire. Visit MonmouthHawks.com/tickets or 732-263-5735 to reserve them today.
