FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2000

ELEVEN SACKS LEAD TO MONMOUTH VICTORY

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth’s defense registered 11 sacks and limited Saint Francis (Pa.) to 26 rushing yards as the Hawks posted a 41-6 victory over the Red Flash in Northeast Conference football action at Kessler Field on Saturday.

The Hawks’ Mike DeFalco and Cornell Key each registered three sacks as Monmouth’s pass rush prevented Saint Francis (0-7, 0-5) from getting any offensive rhythm.

“The defense continues to play really well for us,” Monmouth offensive coordinator Rich Skrosky said. “They didn’t (Randy) White to set up and didn’t give him time to pass most of the afternoon.”

After the game, Monmouth (2-4, 2-3 NEC) presented the game ball to head coach Kevin Callahan. Callahan went in for surgery on September 29 to remove colorectal surgery and is headed towards full recovery.

“It took us a couple games to get it for him,” Skrosky said. “The guys wanted to give him a ball after a win though, so this was nice.”

Monmouth also got a big game from running back Matt Merklinger. Merklinger rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns on the afternoon.

Monmouth jumped out to an early 3-0 lead as Jay Roach returned the opening kickoff 58 yards and four plays later Chris Mandell nailed a 40-yard field goal. Mandell would miss a 39-yard attempt with 3:01 left in the first quarter, but Monmouth pushed the lead to 10-0 with 12 seconds left in the opening period as Merklinger tallied a 1-yard touchdown run. The play was set up by a 38-yard pass from Chris Wielgosz to Bill Lynn.

“It was really good to get the win, especially at home,” Skrosky said. “We talked before the game about getting out to a fast start. We felt that if we got off to a fast start we could control the tempo the rest of the game. Mandell hitting the early field goal and the nice pass from Wielgosz to Lynn really got the momentum on our side.”

Monmouth carried the momentum into the second half as Merklinger pranced 73 yards for a touchdown to give the Hawks a 17-0 edge with 10:03 left in the half. On Saint Francis’ next offensive play, Joe Sentipal sacked White and forced a fumble which Markice Stephens recovered and returned to the Red Flash 2-yard line. Merklinger plunged into the end zone to stretch the margin to 24-0 heading into the intermission.

The Hawks increased the advantage to 34-0 as Chad Smith scored on a 1-yard run with 4:30 left in the third quarter to cap a 5-play, 28-yard drive and Ryan Peterson booted a 33-yard field goal with 13:27 remaining in the game.

Red Flash tight end Matt Gergely scored his fist career touchdown on a 12-yard pass from White to trim the lead to 34-6 with 11:30 left in the game. Saint Francis freshman tailback Michael Hall rushed for a career-high 78 yards on 18 carries. Hall also caught a 54-yard pass to set up the Red Flash’s touchdown.
Doug Stetz capped the scoring on the afternoon with an 8-yard run for the Hawks.

Monmouth outgained Saint Francis in total yards 347-203 and the Hawks rushed for 233 yards on the afternoon.

The Hawks continue their slate next Saturday as they host Stony Brook on Monmouth Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.