FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2000

MONMOUTH DROPS HOME FINALE TO TOWSON

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Towson’s special teams keyed a 12-0 victory over Monmouth in non-conference football action Saturday afternoon at Kessler Field in West Long Branch, N.J.

The Tigers (5-3) capitalized on a pair of blocked punts and a Monmouth turnover to score all 12 of its points. Towson’s defense handed Monmouth its first shutout since the Hawks went scoreless against Southern Connecticut on September 7, 1996.

Towson looked to draw first blood with 6:01 left in the first quarter as Ed Kulic attempted a 28-yard field goal, but the attempt was blocked by Jay Roach and Monmouth (3-5) acquired the ball at its own 12-yard line. The Tiger defense held tight and forced Monmouth to punt four plays later. Towson’s Donald Wood blocked Darrell Nick’s punt and recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 5:07 remaiining in the opening period.

 The squads waged a field possession battle for the remainder of the half and the squads went into the intermission with the Tigers still leading 7-0.

After Towson’s initial drive of the second half stalled out at the Monmouth 39-yard line forcing a punt, the Tigers’ defense forced a fumble by Monmouth quarterback Bill Rankin and Towson gained possession at the Hawks’ 27-yard line. Six plays later, Ed Kulic converted on a 22-yard field goal to push the margin to 10-0.

Monmouth, who tallied just four first downs and 105 yards of total offense, couldn’t muster an attack and Towson put the game away in the fourth quarter as the Tigers blocked a Nick punt out of the end zone for the safety.

Towson outrushed Monmouth 218-10 in the game. The Tigers’ Noah Read rushed for 115 yards on 30 carries to lead the Towson attack.  The blustery conditions, featuring winds between 15-25 miles an hour, kept the passing attacks at a minimum as Towson threw for just 38 yards and the Hawks managed 95 yards in the air.

Monmouth, who was playing its final home game of the season, continues its 2000 slate next Saturday as the Hawks travel to Albany for a 1 p.m. game.