Monmouth University Football Team
Faces Pressure of National Ranking
30 OCTOBER 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY TIM MORRIS
Getting to the top is one thing; staying there
quite another. That is the task for the 2021
Monmouth University football team. “Monmouth
football is in the national conversation,” said
Head Coach Kevin Callahan. “The challenge is to
make sure we stay there. The bar has been set high.”
This past spring’s pandemic-shortened season
(just four games) may have been Monmouth’s most
productive not only because the team defended its
Big South Conference title and played in the Football
Championship Subdivision (FCS) national championship
playoffs, but the Hawks received their highest
ever national ranking among FCS programs, No.
10. With that, national ranking expectations around
Monmouth football have certainly changed. The team
has started the season off ranked No. 12 nationally.
helm of the Hawk program with a record of 166-125,
knows fully well what his team is up against but is
“We have a lot of experienced players who
squad has 21 of 22 starters returning.
The spring season and its success had a carry-over into the team’s
training camp this summer.
the Year. “The camp went very well. They are physically well-prepared. It
allowed us to get into game mode earlier.”
The spring season did more than physically prepare Monmouth for
the 2021 campaign; it created a team bonding that is vital for any football
team looking for success.
Photo by Mark Mohrman, Monmouth Athletics. Monmouth University running back Juwon Farri was the Big South
Just what the Big South coaches think of the Hawks was evident
in the pre-season rankings. The Hawks are picked to win the conference
championship again.
just got bigger,” said Callahan.
Not only was Monmouth picked to win the conference, the Hawks
had the pre-season Players of the Year picks in Offensive Player of the
Year junior running back Juwon Farri and Defensive Player of the Year
senior defensive back Anthony Budd.
Farri, from Germantown, Maryland, was the Big South Offensive
Player of the Year this spring, leading the conference in rushing (130
yards a game). He was second in the nation in rushing and No. 1 in
points per game (15.0). Budd came to Monmouth from Riverdale, Maryland,
and was First Team All-Defense last season when he had two picks
and 26 total tackles, including 14 solo. Hawks were also sprinkled all
over the Pre-Season All-Conference Team.
On the offensive side of the ball, Monmouth is represented on the
First Team by quarterback Tony Muskett (So.), Farri, wide receivers Lonnie
Conference’s Pre-Season pick for Offensive Player of the Year.
Moore IV (Gr.) and Terrance Greene (Jr.), tight end Gene Scott (Sr.) and
offensive linemen Just Szuba (Sr.), AJ Farris (GR.), Mahmoud Shabana
(Gr.) and Manny Christian (Gr.).
In addition to Budd, the Hawks on the First Team Defense include
lineman Kahari Scarlett (Gr.), linebackers Eddie Hahn V Da’Quan Grimes
(Gr.) and defensive back Justin Terry (Sr.). Kent Vines (Sr.) was named to
the Special Teams as the long snapper.
-
ence Team, there is a lot of talent and experience on this squad with playmakers
on both sides of the ball. With Muskett, Farri and receivers Moore
and Greene returning along with the four veteran lineman, the Hawks
could be more explosive than they were in the spring season when they
averaged 35 points per game.
just as stingy this fall.
Although the Hawks are now a nationally recognized program
drawing athletes from throughout the country, Callahan still looks close
to home for talent with Shore Conference players throughout the roster.
Locally, there’s ex-Red Bank Catholic star Hahn V. Also on the roster are:
Dominick Spano (Sr. DL, Saint John Vianney) and Austin Fischer (Jr. OL,
Holmdel) among the bevy of conference players.
While there is a lot to be excited about Monmouth football, there is
“They’re excited about having fans at the games,” Callahan pointed
out. “There’s a special feeling at home games.”
Monmouth’s games will be televised on ESPN3 and ESPN+ this
season as part of the Big South Conference television package.
/TheJournalNJ.com