FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2000

HAWKS BLANK CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University football team got back on the winning track as the Hawks posted a 28-0 shutout over Central Connectictu State at Kessler Field in West Long Branch, N.J., on Saturday.

The shutout was the first for the Hawks since November 1, 1997 when Monmouth logged a 43-0 thumping of Sacred Heart.

Freshman quarterback Bill Rankin, making just his second career start, led the Hawks on two quick scoring drives to deflate any enthusiasm the Blue Devils had. On the second play of the game, Rankin hit Matt Merklinger on a screen play that turned into a 53-yard touchdown pass just 1:02 into the contest. After holding CCSU to three plays and a punt, the Hawks struck again as Merklinger capped an 8-play, 59-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:05 left in the first quarter. The drive was highlighted by Merklinger's 32-yard run on a fake punt.

The defenses tightened up as the rain began to fall and the teams went through a scoreless second quarter.

Any hopes the Blue Devils had of mounting a second half comeback were squandered in the opening moments of the third quarter. The Hawks defense once again forced CCSU to punt after three plays to start the half and Monmouth's offense went on a 10-play, 55-yard drive, culminating in a 25-yard TD strike from Rankin to Eji Maxilom. The touchdown pushed Monmouth's edge to 21-0 with 8:24 left in the third quarter.

The Hawks dealt the knockout blow on the fifth play of the fourth quarter as Rankin hit Maxilom for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 13:37 left in the game.

Rankin led the Hawks offense with 8-of-17 passing for 189 yards and three TDs. Maxilom caught four passes for a career-high 131 yards and two TDS. Merklinger rushed for 89 yards and one TD on 13 carriers. He also caught three passes for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Monmouth is now 1-2 on the season and will be looking to even its record Saturday as the Hawks host Sacred Heart in a 1 p.m. contest at Kessler Field.