As outlined in the missive of 9/1, GRA will be following the fortunes of two NJ collegiate football programs throughout this season -- those of Monmouth University (West Long Branch) and Rutgers University (New Brunswick).
Both teams began their 2004 campaigns in most auspicious fashion on Saturday. Rutgers downed Michigan State by a 19-14 verdict Saturday afternoon. Monmouth dominated St. Peter's College on Saturday night, coming away with a 44-3 victory.
Rutgers
A large portion of the country was treated to the RU-MSU contest on ABC-TV, and it was indeed a treat. With Rutgers ahead 19-14, the game's outcome came down to Michigan State's last possession with less than two minutes to play. In prior years, the Scarlet Knights would have found a way to lose this game. This year, however, the Rutgers defense rose to the occasion, and Michigan State turned the ball over on the RU 25 yard line with 1:07 remaining.
Saturday's attendance of 42,612 marked the largest crowd in history to watch a RU game on campus. This bested the prior record, 41,511, set in 1999 against Texas. (In the past, Rutgers has hosted a few home games at Giants Stadium.)
Certainly contributing to the Scarlet Knights' victory was the lopsided time of possession: 40:14 for Rutgers, 19:46 for Michigan State. Rutgers ran a total of 84 offensive plays, resulting in total yards of 415. This compared with 61/360 for MSU.
RU did not score an offensive touchdown. Its 19 points were the result of a 31-yard interception returned for a touchdown by senior defensive end, Ryan Neill, plus four field goals kicked by true freshman, Jeremy Ito, one from 47 yards, another from 42 yards. RU fullback, Brian Leonard, rushed 25 times for a net of 150 yards. He added another 40 yards in pass receptions, for total yard for the day of 190.
Rutgers' next outing will be a home contest against the University of New Hampshire, which is fresh off a stunning 24-21 upset of the University of Delaware, the defending 1-AA National Champion. Kickoff is 7:00 PM (ET) at Rutgers Stadium.
Monmouth
On Saturday evening, the Monmouth Hawks mauled St. Peter's College, 44-3. Monmouth went out to a quick 27-0 lead, before St. Peter's put its only score of the game on the board, a 36-yard field goal. This came just as the first half was ending.
Scoring two touchdowns for the Hawks was Junior wide receiver, Miles Austin. Austin caught 7 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown, and scored another touchdown on a 27-yard run on an option pitch.
The 6-3, 219-pound Austin was a preseason All-Northeast Conference selection. Many believe he will be a 1-AA All-America candidate before the season is over.
Next on Monmouth's schedule is a home game this Saturday afternoon against La Salle University. Kickoff is 1:00 PM (ET) at Kessler Field.
On the strength of the Monmouth victory, the Hawks moved up two places, to number three, in The Sports Network's latest 1-AA Top-10 Mid-Major Poll. Here are the results:
Prev.
Rank School Points Rank
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1 Duquesne (PA) 188 1
2 Dayton (OH) 168 2
3 Monmouth (NJ) 139 5
4 Robt. Morris (PA) 107 8
5 Valparaiso (IN) 91 6
6 San Diego (CA) 87 4
7 Morehead St. (KY) 76 3
8 Drake (IA) 52 10
9 Wagner (NY) 40 7
10 Stony Brook (NY) 31 9
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