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STRONG FOURTH QUARTER SENDS HAWKS PAST BUCKNELL, 36-19
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Using a 20-6 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter, the Monmouth University (4-2, 0-0 Big South) football team defeated Bucknell (1-6, 1-1 Patriot League) on Saturday afternoon, 36-19. Freshman running back Juwon Farri (Germantown, MD/Northwest) compiled 194 total yards, including 183 on the ground and a 79-yard touchdown run. Senior wide receiver Reggie White Jr. (Reisterstown, MD/Milford Mill Academy) posted 93 yards on seven catches, and passed Miles Austin III for the most receiving yards in program history with his 23-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. White Jr. now has 2,900 receiving yards in his career, and sets another historic mark after breaking the receptions record last game against Wagner. For the second straight game, junior linebacker Evan Powell (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) secured a vital fourth quarter interception, this time as Monmouth trailed 19-16 with 9:07 remaining. After the interception, the Blue & White scored three unanswered touchdowns to seal the win. The Hawks turned the ball over three times but outgained Bucknell 469-266 yards. Monmouth is now 8-0 in the new Kessler Stadium dating back to last year, and improves its record to 4-2 on the 2018 season. NOTES AND QUOTES "We are very excited about the win. Not only we continue the win streak at Kessler Stadium, but it gives us the opportunity to move forward. I thought what we saw today was a lot of different players make key plays at key times. I was happy about the way the defense played throughout today. I thought they did a heck of a job and made key stops when they had to, score off the blocked extra point. The last eight or nine minutes in the game when we really had put the petal down and secure the win. I thought you saw some of the great things our offense can do. Juwon [Farri] had some terrific runs in the fourth quarter and proved to be the margin of victory." – Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan. "Tymere [Berry] made some key plays had some critical points in the game, some key plays that helped secure the win." Callahan on Tymere Berry's play "Today we had to focus on our eyes and technique. Things that we let slip in the last few games. We wanted to make it a point and work on our eyes and our discipline." Berry on the defensive back play
Monmouth finished the non-conference portion of the season with a 4-2 record, securing its third straight winning season against non-conference opponents and the fourth in the last five years.
Neither team was able to score in the first quarter, and each side punted three times.
On the second play of the second quarter, Bucknell threw a 74-yard screen pass for a touchdown. Monmouth senior Gerron Pendarvis blocked the extra point and sophomore Justin Terry took it back 98 yards for two points.
The Hawks immediately answered with a six-play, 70-yard drive in three minutes flat. Bahar threw a 35-yard pass to White Jr. and an 18-yard pass to senior Vinny Grasso on the drive. Senior Devell Jones barreled into the end zone to put the Hawks up 9-6.
On the next Bucknell possession, sophomore Anthony Budd's big hit forced a fumble on a short pass. Senior Tre Nelson recovered the loose ball, and the Hawks took over at midfield.
On the first drive of the second half, Monmouth needed just 2:41 to go 70 yards. White Jr.'s 23-yard touchdown catch made it 16-6, and the senior set the program record for career receiving yardage.
After the Monmouth defense forced a punt, Bahar was sacked for a nine-yard loss near his own goal line. The Bison blocked sophomore Colin McCreary's punt on fourth down and recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. The Hawks still led 16-13 with 7:22 left in the third frame.
Bucknell took the lead with a 13-yard rushing touchdown. The Bison missed the extra point and led 19-16 with 12:33 left in the fourth.
For the second straight game, Powell intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter. After his pick, the Hawks went 37 yards in eight plays to take a 23-19 advantage. Sophomore tight end Gene Scott's first career catch was a one-yard touchdown from Bahar.
Bucknell's eighth punt of the game gave Monmouth a first-and-10 at their own 21-yard line. Farri bursted through the right side and eluded defenders en route to a 79-yard touchdown. After a fumbled extra point, the Hawks led 29-19.
Two passes defensed by senior Tymere Berry gave Monmouth the ball back, and another big run by Farri (42 yards) put the Hawks in Bucknell territory. Jones scored his second touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run, giving Monmouth the eventual 36-19 win.
NUMBERS CRUNCH -After setting the program record for receptions last game against Wagner, White Jr. set the program record for career receiving yards with 2,900, passing Miles Austin (2,867). His 23 career touchdown receptions moved him into sole possession of second all-time. -With 17 career rushing touchdowns, Jones moved into sole possession of seventh all-time. -Farri registered his third 100-yard game of the season. The rookie has 435 rushing yards and four touchdowns in just six games. His 183 rushing yards today ranks 14th all-time for a single game. -Bahar finished 23-37 for 274 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His 4,939 career passing yards ranks fourth in program history, while his 29 passing touchdowns ranks fifth. -The Hawks have scored 146 points in three games at home this year (48.6 average). -Moore totaled five catches and 65 yards on the day. -Senior Kyle Gregory led the defense with nine total tackles, all solo. Anthony Budd, in his first action since the Lafayette game had six solo tackles and a forced fumble. -Budd and junior defensive lineman Kahari Scarlett both forced a fumble. -Berry had three pass breakups, a tackle for a loss, three tackles and a quarterback hurry. -MU is now 14-10 all-time against the Patriot League, winning seven consecutive games against the conference. -Monmouth suffered its first multi-turnover game of the season. UP NEXT The Hawks will play their third-straight home game when they welcome Campbell next Saturday for Monmouth University Homecoming. The Camels are in the midst of their first season in the Big South, and registered a 5-1 record in non-conference play. The teams will meet for the first time.
