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BY JEREMY SCHILLING
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Duquesne University (6-2, 4-1) at Monmouth University (4-3, 3-1)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
1pm – Kessler Field, West Long Branch, New Jersey
Radio: 1160AM, 1310AM, shoresportsnetwork.com
THE LAST WHISTLE: Monmouth got a huge win last week against Sacred Heart 31-17. Head Coach Kevin Callahan spoke of the impact the pass rush made in that victory.“It certainly was [a factor] in the second half last week,” Callahan said. “We were able to generate six sacks in the second half. You have to look at the defensive line as a whole. It takes all four guys on the field working together. We’ve been fortunate in that we’ve been able to use a number of people in every game. I think they’re working very well together.
Duquesne is the only other one-loss team in the NEC. As a result, this game is especially huge for Monmouth, because if they can win on Saturday, they set up a probable matchup for the NEC title against unbeaten Albany on November 12..
Last week, Duquesne beat Wagner, 37-31, and has won two straight following a loss to aforementioned unbeaten Albany.
Something to keep in mind is the weather forecast for tomorrow: it is utterly atrocious. As of right now, it is predicted to be in the upper 30s with rain, winds gusting to 25 mph, and wind chills around freezing. Ball control will be of the upmost importance.
THE HISTORY: Saturday will be the sixth meeting all-time between the two schools. Monmouth has a 4-1 series edge.
THE MATCHUP: Keys for Monmouth:
1) Pound the rock with Julian Hayes. Hayes has six touchdowns in his last two games, and in bad weather, the running game becomes even more important. Give it to him all day and he may eat up a ton of yards and a ton of clock.
2) Stop the run and get to the quarterback. Ian Simon and the rest of the pass rush are having a sensational season. What has been their key? “The coaches just preach to attack,” Simon said. “We don’t really hold up on blocks anymore. They just tell us ‘get up field and make a play. Make something happen.’ That shows – everybody has over five tackles for loss. We all have over 2.5 sacks now. We’re just an aggressive defense now. I think we’re going to do great things later in the season.”
The ability to disrupt quarterback Sean Patterson and running back Larry McCoy could go along way to a big victory.
Keys for Duquesne:
1) Exploit Jameson Zacharias. Starting his second game in place of Elijah Phillips who is out for the season, Zacharias has never matched up against a wide receiver core quite like Duquesne’s. Issac Spragg and Connor Dixon will be tough targets for Zacharias to start as the game progresses.
2) Win the special teams battle. Games in ugly weather sometimes come down to special teams and for Duquesne, Charlie Leventry doubles as their kicker and punter. How he does could very well determine if they win or lose.
THE QUOTE: “’Don’t think. Just react and play’. Last year I was new to the position and I was thinking a lot. But now that I’m comfortable in my new position, it’s just fun now. It’s just me going out there playing. I’m just having a good time in my last season.” – Senior defensive lineman Simon on the key to his fantastic 2011, which includes seven tackles for a loss, five sacks, and one recovered fumble.
THE STAT: Hayes has been very effective without running for a ton of yards this season. He has 412 yards on 120 rushes with a long of only 21, but he has scored nine touchdowns, helping Monmouth to their 3-1 conference record.
