WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University's football team wrapped up its first scrimmage of 2023 camp on Saturday.
The Hawks ran 100+ plays covering all facets of the game including special teams and special situations such as redzone and two-minute drill. With a decision to be made at the starting Quarterback position looming, both
Marquez McCray and
Enzo Arjona made plays on Saturday. The scrimmage was the first of two, with fans invited to the final tune-up of camp next Saturday (8-19).
NOTES FROM THE SCRIMMAGE
- The defense mixed up pressures recording a number of sacks. The Hawks were 71st in the country last season in sacks with 20 over 11 games but have taken steps to address that with a host of new faces along the defensive line.
- One of those new faces, graduate transfer Nick White, made an early impact on Saturday with a four-yard loss on a TFL.
- Senior wideout Assanti Kearney had back-to-back one-handed receptions early on, including a touchdown pass on third down from McCray.
- The defensive backs were active as well, with Tyrese Wright recording a sack, Mike Reid forcing a critical third down pass breakup and freshman Israel Clark-White came up with an interception as the offense was driving to the redzone.
- Chris King, who suffered an injury early last season, is back to terrorizing offenses with 1.5 sacks in the scrimmage.
- McCray found Jordan Gray on back-to-back big gain completions, the second one ending in a TD
- Arjona connected with sophomore Gavin Nelson on a beautifully thrown ball that ended in a 70-yard race to the endzone.
- The final TD of the day came on a tipped ball that found itself directly to Owen Bill who then sped away to pay dirt
- Former South Jersey Defensive Player of the Year, sophomore Damir McCrary had a sack and a crucial PBU early in the scrimmage
- Fans should be prepared to see some new faces catching passes this season. Kearney, Dre Tucker and All-CAA member Dymere Miller have become household names but Nelson, Gray, TJ Speight and freshman Joshua Derry could all be called upon this season for the Blue & White.
QUOTES
Head Coach Kevin Callahan on Assanti Kearney
"He's a very physical presence. He's big, he's long and he's strong. Assanti has really developed a keen understanding of the receiver position, route running and how to get himself open. He makes plays and he someone that we are counting on to be a key player in our passing game this year."
Head Coach Kevin Callahan on the quarterback decision
"They continue to battle and compete and they are both doing a good job. We are coming up to the time when we need to make a decision and create finality to who is going to be the starter. You want that guy to have the last couple weeks of preseason where he is the guy running the first offense. We have to take a good look at today's video and assess where each one of them is at and who is in the best position to lead us."
Coach Callahan on Tyrese Wright
"Tyrese is very active on the field. There are a lot of things he can do. He is physical in the run game and he has a very good understanding of the pass game. He puts himself in position to make plays. 'Playmaker' is a word that comes to mind. If we can get 11 guys to do what he's doing we are going to be pretty good on defense.
Wide Receiver Assanti Kearney
"There are still a lot of things we could clean up, but I think we went out there with good energy and camaraderie/comradery. We encourage each other to keep having a killer mentality in a football sense. I think we are doing a good job making strides and just coming together as a unit. The most important thing is to keep stacking days, keep building and feeding off of each other. The defense gave us some great looks today, and it was a super competitive battle. I think we need to be more locked in, pay more attention to detail, and just know that every play matters."
Linebacker Ryan Moran
"Good. I feel like we are gelling. We put in some new schemes. I think we are really fitting in our gaps. We are making plays, we are in the right spots - we just have to tackle a little bit better. Coach told us today: when you don't do things 100% in practice, it shows during live play - and that's what happened; we just have to focus up on tackling."
NUMBERS CRUNCH
SOCIAL NETWORK
Fans should follow MUHAWKSFB on Instagram and Twitter for video, photos, quotes and more from today's scrimmage
UP NEXT
The Hawks are back on the field for practice next Monday with Friday serving as Monmouth Football's annual media day. Members of the media wishing to attend should reach out to a member of the athletic communications staff.
