FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2000

MONMOUTH OFFENSE STALLS IN 23-7 LOSS TO ROBERT MORRIS

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA. – Robert Morris College’s defense put the clamps down and held Monmouth University’s offense scoreless in a 23-7 victory in Moon Township, Pa., on Saturday.

For the second consecutive week, Monmouth (0-2, 0-2 Northeast Conference) offense struggled to put points on the board with it’s only touchdown Saturday coming on a 26-yard interception return by senior defensive back Aaron Edwards. The Hawks managed just 99 yards rushing and averaged only 3.2 yards per carry.

“Any time your offense doesn’t score, you can’t be pleased,” Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan said. “You never want to start the season 0-2 in the conference, but there are still nine games left, including six NEC. I think this team is capable of winning those last six league games. We are not out of the conference race, we are just behind.”

Part of the Hawks’ offensive woes could be attributed to a pair of injuries to key starters. Sophomore quarterback Chris Wielgosz suffered a concussion last week and had headaches throughout the week so Coach Callahan decided no to play him vs. the Colonials. Freshman Bill Rankin, who replaced Wielgosz in the starting lineup, completed 11-of-37 passes for 167 yards and two interceptions. Team captain and starting tight end Bryan Peck was early in Saturday’s contest.

Monmouth kept the game close through the first three quarters and tied the game at 7-7 with Edwards’ touchdown with 7:32 left in the third quarter.

Robert Morris (2-0, 1-0 NEC) took control of the contest in the last four minutes of the third period as they capitalized on good field position. The Colonials only needed to drive 47 yards to set up a 39-yard field goal by Jeff Carlo to give Robert Morris a 10-7 advantage with 3:10 left in the third. The Colonials’ next drive lasted just one play as Sam Dorsett trekked 50 yards for a touchdown giving RMC a 16-7 edge after Carlo missed the extra points. Dorsett accounted for a bulk of the Colonials’ offense as he tallied 156 yards rushing on 23 carries.

The Colonials put the game out of reach when All-NEC quarterback Tim Levcik hit Opio Gary for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 11:19 remaining in the game to give Robert Morris a 23-7 lead.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Colonials drew first blood with 3:38 left until halftime when Nick Daniel scored on a 4-yard run to cap an 8-play, 65 yard drive to give Robert Morris a 7-0 edge at the intermission. Monmouth actually owned a 126-90 advantage in total yards in the first half, but the Hawks seven first-half drives resulted in five punts, a fumble and an interception. The Hawks’ offense had opportunities to score in the second half but could not capitalize on good field position, including drives starting at the Monmouth 49-yard line in the third quarter, and the Robert Morris 35-yard line and Monmouth 48-yard line in the fourth quarter.

Monmouth returns to action next Saturday as they welcome Central Connecticut State to West Long Branch for the Hawks’ home opener. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.