By Jim Hintelmann
WEST LONG BRANCH – Monmouth University came close to scoring its most significant football victory since the program was founded in 1992, but the Hawks couldn’t quite make it in a 23-20 setback to Coastal Carolina (7-0), ranked, No. 1 in the nationals in the FCS coaches poll.
With a standing room only crowd of 4,591 at Kessler Field Saturday for homecoming, Monmouth was in position for a major upset, but Coastal Carolina’s Ryan Granger’s 30-yard field goal as time expired gave the Chanticleers a dramatic 23-20 Big South victory.
“We matched up with them pretty well on both sides of the ball,” said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan who has been with the program since it was first organized. “However, I don’t want any moral victories.
“I think a game like this will help our recruitment program,” he said. “We had a great crowd here with a lot of alumni and former players here.”
Trailing 20-13, Monmouth had rallied in the third quarter by staging a nine-play, 53 yard drive to tie the score, 20-20, on Lavon Chaney’s 21-yard touchdown run and Matt White’s extra point kick. Chaney, who rushed for 196 yards, set it up with an 18-yard run.
Coastal Carolina began its game-winning drive after Monmouth failed on a fourth and three at the Coastal 43 with 3:06 remaining in the game. Twelve plays moved the ball to the Hawk nine from where Granger kicked his game-winning field goal.
“We lost an opportunity to put ourselves in good position in the conference race and be in the thick of the Big South race,” said Callahan, “but we played well overall.”
Coastal Carolina scored first on its second series on Granger’s 30-yard field goal following a six-play, 42 yard drive following a Monmouth punt, but the Hawks came back with a sustained 90-yard drive which ended on a 3-yard run by Chaney for a 7-3 lead.
Monmouth had a chance to build on its lead when it moved to the Coast Carolina 27, but Kerron Johnson intercepted a Williams pass at the 20 to end the threat.
“I wish that I could have had that pass back,” said Williams, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, “We just have to learn from that, but we responded and scored a touchdown on our next drive.”
Following the interception, Coastal Carolina drove 80 yards in 10 plays to take the lead once more at 10-7 on De’Angelo Henderson’s1-yard touchdown run.
Monmouth again came back as Williams threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Chaney to put the Hawks in front, 13-10, but Coastal Carolina retook the lead on a one-yard quarterback pass by Ross for a 17-13 advantage.
Monmouth moved to the Coastal Carolina 29 on its next possession, but White’s 39-yard field goal attempt fell short.
The Chanticleers increased their lead to 20-13 late in the third quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Granger and that set up the thrilling final quarter.
“We practiced hard all week and I think we held our own’, said Monmouth cornerback Joe Johnson. “I think we proved over the last two games (Monmouth had upset No. 22 Liberty the previous week), that we can play with anybody if we put our minds to it.”
Monmouth (3-5) is on the road this Saturday when it meets Kennesaw State.
