Monmouth football beats Stony Brook, 24-21, as Hawks snap four-game skid

That was a big one.

Sure, the four-game winning streak that had Monmouth receiving vote in the national polls seems like a long time ago, with the excitement of the first season in the Colonial Athletic Association tempered by the harsh realities of its new league.

But while there was no FCS Playoff spot on the line, there was real value in Saturday’s season-ending 24-21 victory over Stony Brook at Kessler Stadium in West Long Branch, snapping a four-game skid.

Monmouth (5-6, 3-5) finishes with three CAA victories, while losing a pair of heartbreakers, including a seven-overtime defeat against Rhode Island.

After Monmouth built a 17-0 first half lead, Stony Brook roared back with 21 straight points, fueled by a pair of turnovers. But a 72-yard TD pass from freshman quarterback Enzo Arjona to junior Dymere Miller gave the Hawks a 24-21 lead with 7:32 to play.

After defensive end Pat Hayden sacked Daron Bryden on third down, the Monmouth offense put the game away. After Arjona found Miller for 37 yards down to the Stony Brook 28, Monmouth got a pair of first downs, with Juwon Farri taking a knee near the goal line instead of scoring, allowing them to run out the clock.

”It’s good to finish off the season with a win,” Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said. “We had a couple of tough weeks - four weeks to be exact - where we were close and couldn’t quite get over the hump and get the victory. To see these guys continue to come back out, the last game and to play the way we played throughout the game, to answer their scores with scores of our own, I couldn’t be happier for this group.

“It doesn’t undo some of the things we failed to do during the season, but it makes it an awful lot easier to live with.”

Playmakers stepping up

Making his third straight start for Tony Muskett, nursing a knee injury, Arjona threw for 245 yards, completing 14-of-22 attempts, with a touchdown and an interception.

The constant all season has been the sophomore running back Jaden Shirden, the top FCS rusher in the country wasted little time against the Seawolves (2-9, 1-8). Shirden broke a 64-yarder to open the scoring on his first carry of the game. By day’s end, Shirden had 155 yards yards, his ninth 100-yard game, while pushing his season total to 1,722 yards, averaging 156.5 yards in 11 games.

It was a stunning reversal for the Monmouth defense, which had given up a combined 1,515 yards over the previous three games. But Stony Brook had just 44 yards of offense at halftime, finishing with 199 yards.

"It was great we finally got together and come out with a win in the last one," said graduate linebacker Da'Quan Grimes, who finished with seven tackles and a sack. "The big thing for us was showing up on third down and getting stops."

Holding on

It was two turnovers that nearly derailed Monmouth’s strong start.

Arjona’s first career interception was returned 41 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Carthell Flowers-Lloyd, which cut Monmouth’s lead to 17-7 with 3:05 left in the first half.

After Monmouth drove to the Stony Brook 34 with 50 seconds left in the first half, Arjona’s pass on fourth-and-four was incomplete, ending the threat.

In the third quarter, coach Kevin Callahan opted to go for it on fourth-and-three from the Stony Brook 44, after short-yardage back Owen Wright was dropped for a two-yard loss on third down. But Arjona overthrew Assante Kearney on a deep pass up the right sideline.

Two plays later it was Ross Tallarico racing through a gaping hole in the middle of the Hawks’ defense and going 66 yards untouched for a touchdown to pull the Seawolves within 17-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, defensive end Eric Black sacked Arjona and forced a fumble that Aidan Kaler recovered at the Monmouth 36. On third-and-16 from the 43, Daron Bryden hit R.J. Lamarre for 33 yards, setting up a five-yard TD pass to Tallarico to put Stony Brook on top, 21-17.

Pregame

Monmouth football: 5 keys vs. Stony Brook, as Hawks seek strong finish

In terms of goals like reaching the FCS Playoff or finishing with a winning record, today’s season-ending game against Stony Brook is meaningless for Monmouth.

But while the Hawks’ first season in the Colonial Athletic Association wasn’t as successful as everyone had hoped it would be, there are still plenty of important storylines to play out at Kessler Stadium.

Monmouth (4-6, 2-5) has dropped four straight, while Stony Brook (2-8, 1-6) has two wins in its last four games.

Here are five keys for Monmouth as it looks to close the season on a positive note. And check back right here later today for complete coverage:

1. Feed No. 20

Jaden Shirden has proven himself to be a special talent, with six TD runs of 67 yards or more, while leading the nation in rushing yards (1,567) and yards-per-game (156.7) and yards-per-carry (8.56), with eight 100-yard games and four 200-yard games.

Finishing an incredible season off in style in front of the home fans would be a perfect ending. Shirden, only a sophomore, has topped the 200-yard mark in each of the past two games.

2. Thank the seniors

The program will announce 30-some “seniors,” or players who are likely playing their final game as a Hawk, although some could have eligibility remaining. And it was this class that helped put Monmouth in this position, competing in one of the top FCS conferences, with games on regional television.

They’re owed a debt of gratitude, and today’s game is one final chance to show appreciation for everything they did, from winning two Big South titles and navigating the pandemic, to transitioning into a new league.

3. Defensive last stand

Monmouth needs to make major on the defensive side of the ball, looking at every aspect of why they’ve been unable to build a unit that can hold its own against even mid-level FCS offenses.

But this is one last chance for players to make a statement about where they might fit in a complete overhaul on that side of the ball. Monmouth’s giving up an average of 505 yards over its last three games, and comes in ranked 111th among 123 FCS programs in total defense.

4. Special finish

Another area where Monmouth needs to take a good, hard look is special team, which have underperformed all season. Every game there’s something, whether it’s missed kicks, giving up long returns, turnovers or an overall lack of big returns.

A clean game on special teams as a contributing factor in a win would be nice.

5. Entertainment value

Monmouth plays like it plays this season. And amid the disappointment it’s been a very exciting team to watch. The weekly high-wire act in high-scoring games has made for some entertaining games with dramatic finishes. It would be nice to put on a great show for the hometown crowd.

Monmouth has played hard every weekend, and that will no doubt continue in this one.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth football beats Stony Brook, 24-21, as Hawks snap four-game skid