WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University freshman defensive back Amori McNeil has been named the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Football Rookie of the Week, the league announced Monday.
 
McNeil made the biggest play of his young career in Monmouth's 41-40 comeback victory over Towson Saturday, returning an interception 71 yards for a touchdown to break a 24-24 tie in the fourth quarter. With the Tigers driving into Monmouth territory, McNeil snagged a deflected pass and raced down the sideline for the go-ahead score, giving the Hawks a 34-27 advantage.
 
The interception was the first of McNeil's career and marked the second pick-six of the season for the Hawks. It was also the first interception returned for a touchdown by a Monmouth freshman since Deuce Lee did so in 2023. McNeil added three tackles, including two solo stops, in the victory.
 
The 71-yard return was the second-longest interception return in the CAA this season.
 
"It's been great. I give praise to God for putting me in this situation," said McNeil. "Ever since I stepped on campus, the coaches have believed in me, pushed me to put in the work and kept pushing me. I feel like that belief has helped me be ready when my opportunity came."
 
On the game-changing play, McNeil said, "When the ball came my way, I just felt like I was built for this moment and I had to make a play. The coaches have always believed in me and put me in a position to be ready for moments like that, so when the ball came my way, I knew I had to make the play."
 
McNeil and the Hawks enter the bye week at 4-2 overall and in sole possession of first place in the CAA at 3-0 in conference games. All four Monmouth wins have come by one score. Monmouth returns to play on Oct. 17 at New Hampshire.

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