newjerseynewsroom.com

BY JEREMY SCHILLING

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Monmouth University (3-4, 2-2 in the Northeast Conference) at Duquesne University (5-2, 3-1 in the Northeast Conference)

Saturday, October 27, 2012

12:10 p.m. – Rooney Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Radio: 1160AM, 1310AM, shoresportsnetwork.com

THE LAST WHISTLE: Monmouth is currently on a three-game losing streak, following a 27-24 loss to Bryant on Saturday. But head coach Kevin Callahan says the team is in a great frame of mind, even though their chances at a FCS playoff berth are most likely dashed.

“[Their mindset’s] been great,” Callahan said. “We had a great meeting on Sunday. We talked about the remaining four games and how each one of the four games is, I think, a very winnable game. I want them to focus on playing one game at a time, and let’s just go out and win these games and finish our season 7-4. I think 7-4 would be a successful year for this team, and I think the players have worked hard enough to deserve that.”

Duquesne is coming off a dominating 35-3 win over Sacred Heart last week. They boast a potent offensive attack with the 12th leading rusher in the nation, Larry McCoy, and a powerful receiving core led by Gianni Carter.

THE HISTORY:  This is the seventh game between the two teams, with Monmouth holding a 4-2 lifetime edge.

THE MATCHUP: Keys for Monmouth:

1) Get back to starting fast. Everyone, especially quarterback Kyle Frazier, seemed ticked about the offense’s slow start last week against Bryant. That can’t happen – not against a team like Duquesne. Start fast and get their defense back on their heels.

2) Do your homework. With Elijah Phillips and Mitchell Pollard injured, the secondary is especially thin, with guys like Jameson Zacharias and Joe Johnson playing larger roles than they expected. If they do their homework, the Hawks could be OK. If not, Duquesne’s passing attack could flip this game in a heartbeat.

Keys for Duquesne:

1) Exploit Monmouth’s weaknesses. Try to go after the replacements in the secondary early and hope to nab some big plays early on.

2) Confuse and frustrate. On both sides of the ball, confuse Monmouth and try to get them frustrated and aggravated. In some respects the Hawks are a desperate team, currently on a three-game losing streak and begging for a victory.

THE QUOTE: “Usually in practice, I come out 15 minutes before everyone else and I get about 5-10 onside kicks in everyday. It varies on the height of the kick and how you kick it….and during the game you hope you hit it just right.  ”—Freshman kicker Lucas Santangelo on practicing onside kicks

THE STAT: In their three wins, Monmouth has allowed under 20 points. In their four losses, they’ve given up 20 and above.