FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2000

MONMOUTH’S TURNOVERS LEAD TO SACRED HEART VICTORY

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University was victimized by four turnovers in a 13-7 loss to Sacred Heart University in Northeast Conference football action Saturday afternoon at Kessler Field in West Long Branch, N.J.

Three fumbles and an interception prevented Monmouth (1-3, 1-3 Northeast Conference), who owned a 336-162 advantage in total offense, from getting any rhythm on offense.

The Hawks first fumble stalled out a second-quarter drive at the Sacred Heart 35-yard line as the Pioneers’ Jayson Jarrett jarred the ball loose from Monmouth fullback Joe Tramutolo with 8:20 left in the half. After Monmouth’s defense held Sacred Heart (5-0, 3-0 NEC) to three plays and a punt, the Pioneers turned a Mike Trombetta fumble into seven points as Brian Pawlowski picked up the ball and scampered 35 yards for a touchdown with 5:13 left until intermission.

Sacred Heart, who did not commit a turnover in the game, started out the second half with a drive deep into Monmouth territory, but the Hawks forced a field goal attempt and John Schultzel blocked the Tim Redican field goal attempt. On MU’s ensuing drive, the turnover bug struck again as Trombetta fumbled on a screen pass and the Pioneers turned it into a touchdown with a 6-play, 32-yard drive culminating in a Justin Holtfreter 2-yard touchdown run. Sacred Heart attempted a two-point conversion with a fake kick, but Mike Toto’s pass attempt wobbled incomplete.

The Hawks had a scoring opportunity midway through the fourth quarter, but failed to convert a 4th-and-1 opportunity at the Pioneers 3-yard line with 6:33 remaining in the game. Monmouth’s lone score came with 2:17 left on the clock as freshman quarterback Bill Rankin hit Eji Maxilom for a 55-yard touchdown pass. After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, the Hawks defense held the Pioneers to three plays and a punt and gave the Monmouth offense possession of the ball at the Hawks’ 22-yard line with 1:38 left on the clock. Monmouth was unable to convert a first down and Sacred Heart earned the victory to take a half-game lead in the NEC standings over Wagner and Robert Morris, who both own 2-0 record.

Monmouth’s Matt Merklinger was the leading rusher in the game with 65 yards on 18 carries. Rankin led all quarterbacks completing 17-of-33 pass attempts for 204 yards one touchdown and one interception. Maxilom had the game high for receptions (6) and receiving yards (105).

Monmouth returns to action next Saturday as it travels to Brookville, N.Y. for a 1 p.m. contest at C.W. Post. Sacred Heart is idle next week and hosts Stony Brook on October 14.