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| Monmouth/Rutgers Football: Week 4 - Sep. 27, 2004 |
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Foreword
During the course of the 2004 college football season, GRA is following the fortunes of two New Jersey institutions -- Monmouth University (West Long Branch) and Rutgers University (New Brunswick). My son is a graduate of and played football for Monmouth University; my daughter is a graduate of Rutgers University.
Each school entered its respective campaign with high expectations. For Monmouth, coming off 2002 and 2003 seasons in which it went 7-3 and 10-2, respectively, this year's goal is a second straight Northeast Conference championship. For Rutgers, the 2004 quest is to build further respectability for its football program, after 2002 and 2003 seasons of 1-11 and 5-7.
--Doug Gillespie
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Week four of the Monmouth/Rutgers football seasons saw Monmouth's dream hit a major roadblock. Meanwhile, Rutgers had a bye week. The Scarlet Knights return to action next Saturday against Syracuse.
Monmouth
This week's outcome: At Kessler Field, West Long Branch, NJ: Stony Brook 27, Monmouth 0. With the loss, the Hawk's record goes to 3-1. The Stony Brook Seawolves improve to 1-2.
Monmouth entered Saturday's contest ranked number one in the nation in [iThe Sports Network's 1-AA Mid-Major Top-10 poll. Stony Brook was unranked. When TSN releases new poll results later today, look for serious slippage by the Hawks, and for the Seawolves to crack the top 10.
Monmouth's week-earlier victory over highly regarded Robert Morris was played in Moon Township, PA, with the game won by the Hawks on the last play. The outcome instantly was described as the "miracle in Moon." So perhaps it would be fitting to describe Saturday's defeat at the hands of Stony Brook as the "mauling at Monmouth."
The Hawks certainly entered Saturday's contest risking a letdown after the Robert Morris contest. Moreover, Stony Brook came into the game as an awfully good 0-2 team. This dangerous combination of factors saw an outcome in which Monmouth was totally dominated on both sides of the ball.
The loss snapped Monmouth's seven-game home winning streak. The Hawks turned the ball over seven times (five interceptions, two fumbles), and the team was penalized 10 times for 93 yards. Stony Brook's defense held Monmouth to 37 yards on the ground.
Brian Boland, who entered the game rated the number two NCAA 1-AA quarterback in the nation, threw three of the Hawk's five interceptions.
Nor was Miles Austin, Monmouth's premier wide receiver, spared the Seawolves' domination. Austin was held to two receptions for a total of 27 yards.
Monmouth attempts to break back into the win column on Saturday with a non-conference game in New Rochelle, NY, against Iona College. Kickoff is 1:00 PM (ET), with the game broadcast live via the Internet on WMCX-FM.
Rutgers
Rutgers was idle this week, returning to action next Saturday with a 12:00 noon (ET) kickoff against Syracuse on the road.
This game marks the beginning of Big East play for both teams. Syracuse enters the contest with a 2-2 record, having fallen Saturday by a 31-10 verdict to #12 Virginia. The Scarlet Knights come into Saturday's game with a 2-1 record, with victories over Michigan State and Kent State, and a loss to New Hampshire.
Saturday's contest is ABC-TV's "Big East Game of the Week" and will be televised by ABC on a regional basis.
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