MU football -follow up story for Monday paper...
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
Whenever tailback David Sinisi went to the sidelines with leg cramps Saturday the Monmouth University offense cramped up.
In the three series in which Sinisi either did not participate or was not in the rotation Monmouth managed one first down after racking up seven in the Sinisi-led two opening drives which he capped with TD runs.
But even when the redshirt sophomore, who accounted for 192 all-purpose yards (61 percent of Monmouth's offense) lined up in the backfield after his two touchdowns, the Monmouth offense suffered penalty cramps.
""We had too many penalties,'' said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan Sunday. His team was flagged for eight penalties for 108 yards in the 20-17 Northeast Conference defeat by Robert Morris. And with the Hawks' offense in uncertain mode after its two scores, several of the penalties proved costly.
On Monmouth's first possession of the second quarter, with the Hawks ahead 14-0, a holding call wiped out a Monmouth drive that had reached the RMU 43-yard line.
On Monmouth's first possession of the third quarter, with the game tied at 14, an illegal block cancelled an 11-yard run by quarterback Brett Burke.
And, perhaps most damaging, was the delay of game penalty just after Monmouth had secured a fourth-quarter first down at it own 26-yard line with the game tied at 17.
""We were slow getting out of the huddle and up to the line of scrimmage,''said Callahan. ""And then we failed to recognize the 25-second clock was running so low.''
Monmouth's failure to advance paved the way for Michael Walser's game-winning field goal, his second field goal of the game.
The Hawks also suffered some ill fortune while RMU was driving for a game-tying TD in the third quarter.
During the 71-yard drive Monmouth's Kevin Walsh forced a fumble by RMU running back Myles Russ. But the loose ball was scooped up by quarterback Erik Cwalinski who who ran 18 yards to the Monmouth 40.
""It was unlucky,'' said Callahan.
The Hawks promptly shot themselves in the foot on the ensuing kick off with a holding call that negated a 17-yard return by Bobby Cole.
""Right now we're 0-2 and I honestly feel we should be 2-0,'' said Callahan. ""There are several reasons why we're not.
""We're still committing a lot of mistakes that are keeping us from being efficient on both sides of the ball. If you're going to win games you've got to eliminate those things. I still feel we're a good football team and have the ability to be a good football team.
""We've just got to keep working on a lot of the little details in order to improve.''
A bight spot Saturday was the kicking of junior Fred Weingart who showed no ill effects from the torn ACL in his kicking foot that ended his 2006 season. Weingart nailed two extra points and a career long 42-yard field goal.
""It was just a lot of re-hab,'' said Weingart, a graduate of New Egypt High School. ""I've been doing well in practice getting a lot of reps and getting my strength back. So I've been good to go.''
Ironically, Walser's two field goals came after the first year kicker last week missed two extra points and a field goal attempt in a loss to Dayton.
Monmouth has the first of its two bye weeks this week before visiting Stony Brook (2-0) 4 p.m. Sept. 22.
NOTES...Monmouth defensive back Ayo Falae recorded three pass breakups and linebacker Tom Larkin his first career sack.
STAFF WRITER
Whenever tailback David Sinisi went to the sidelines with leg cramps Saturday the Monmouth University offense cramped up.
In the three series in which Sinisi either did not participate or was not in the rotation Monmouth managed one first down after racking up seven in the Sinisi-led two opening drives which he capped with TD runs.
But even when the redshirt sophomore, who accounted for 192 all-purpose yards (61 percent of Monmouth's offense) lined up in the backfield after his two touchdowns, the Monmouth offense suffered penalty cramps.
""We had too many penalties,'' said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan Sunday. His team was flagged for eight penalties for 108 yards in the 20-17 Northeast Conference defeat by Robert Morris. And with the Hawks' offense in uncertain mode after its two scores, several of the penalties proved costly.
On Monmouth's first possession of the second quarter, with the Hawks ahead 14-0, a holding call wiped out a Monmouth drive that had reached the RMU 43-yard line.
On Monmouth's first possession of the third quarter, with the game tied at 14, an illegal block cancelled an 11-yard run by quarterback Brett Burke.
And, perhaps most damaging, was the delay of game penalty just after Monmouth had secured a fourth-quarter first down at it own 26-yard line with the game tied at 17.
""We were slow getting out of the huddle and up to the line of scrimmage,''said Callahan. ""And then we failed to recognize the 25-second clock was running so low.''
Monmouth's failure to advance paved the way for Michael Walser's game-winning field goal, his second field goal of the game.
The Hawks also suffered some ill fortune while RMU was driving for a game-tying TD in the third quarter.
During the 71-yard drive Monmouth's Kevin Walsh forced a fumble by RMU running back Myles Russ. But the loose ball was scooped up by quarterback Erik Cwalinski who who ran 18 yards to the Monmouth 40.
""It was unlucky,'' said Callahan.
The Hawks promptly shot themselves in the foot on the ensuing kick off with a holding call that negated a 17-yard return by Bobby Cole.
""Right now we're 0-2 and I honestly feel we should be 2-0,'' said Callahan. ""There are several reasons why we're not.
""We're still committing a lot of mistakes that are keeping us from being efficient on both sides of the ball. If you're going to win games you've got to eliminate those things. I still feel we're a good football team and have the ability to be a good football team.
""We've just got to keep working on a lot of the little details in order to improve.''
A bight spot Saturday was the kicking of junior Fred Weingart who showed no ill effects from the torn ACL in his kicking foot that ended his 2006 season. Weingart nailed two extra points and a career long 42-yard field goal.
""It was just a lot of re-hab,'' said Weingart, a graduate of New Egypt High School. ""I've been doing well in practice getting a lot of reps and getting my strength back. So I've been good to go.''
Ironically, Walser's two field goals came after the first year kicker last week missed two extra points and a field goal attempt in a loss to Dayton.
Monmouth has the first of its two bye weeks this week before visiting Stony Brook (2-0) 4 p.m. Sept. 22.
NOTES...Monmouth defensive back Ayo Falae recorded three pass breakups and linebacker Tom Larkin his first career sack.
posted by Tony Graham at 5:22 PM
9 Comments:
Tony-
Was the Sinisi injury the reason the Hawks seemed to go away from the run in the second half? Also, what do you think is the reason for all of the penalties? Lack of experience?
Sinisi was out for that entire first MU possession of the second half...which turned out to be a critical juncture...
If you go to the MU web site and look at the play-by play of the second half..When Sinsi came back, he ran more than you might have thought but was being bottled up and MU was involved in more third down passing situations.....
The penalties..good question. The delay of game - frankly - should never happen.
This is something of a veteran offensive line....so I don't know if the false starts can be traced to inexperience. Whether it's that, nerves, carelessness, whatever, it really is something they need to correct..they can probably use this week off
But the next two games.. at Stony Brook and Delaware - well, you just hope nobody gets hurt ...I can't see MU winning either game. Can you?
THE MU DEFENSE DID NOT LOOK LIKE THE MU DEFENSE OF OLD, THAT HAD TO BE THE MOST MISS TACKLES IN ONE GAME FOR THE HAWKS IN A LONG TIME...BURKE LOOK SHAKY, AS THOUGH HE COULDNT GO THROUGH HIS READS DOWNFIELD AND WOULD JUST RUN AROUND INSTEAD OF BEING POISED, THE O LINE DID NOT DO A TERRIBLE JOB ON SATURDAY...THERE WAS ONLY ONE VETERAN O-LINEMAN ON STAURDAY AND THAT WAS JOHN DUNN, THE OTHER ONE WITH THE MOST EXPERIENCE WAS SEAN WRIGHT, ROSINSKI IS STILL A 1ST YR PLAYER, PLAYING IN MOP UP TIME LAST YR... BURKE MADE IT LOOK WORSE...CHALK IT UP TO INEXPERIENCE, GOING TO BE LIKE THAT THE REST OF THE WAY.....MU USED TO WIN GAMES LIKE THAT NOT LOSE EM
Well..coming into 2007 - I had no illusions about this year though I thought second place was a possibility and I was almost positive they would beat RMU..
Now in the NEC I see MU defeating SFPA and Wagner and wouldn't rule out SHU and CCSU...maybe they get one of those...
I am sure they can play with all the NEC teams..but can they do the ""little things" to win close games???
The good news - as far as I can tell -
On Offense.. everyone but San Miguel and Dunn are back next year..
On D - only Reed will have used up all his eligibility.....
I think offense was the let down here, lots of penalties and they really missed LoCastro's blocking. Defense still did better than I think anyone expected, how could anyone expect them to look like the "defense of old" when there are only 2 returning starters, who by the way worked their butts off out there and get NO credit.
CB Falae, though he was beaten on the first TD, I thought overall had a very nice game. His coverage on Hines I felt was reponsible for an early MU sack. And they did miss LoCastro (I have no news on him as we speak).
Cerezo lead the defense with 9 tackles (though it seemed he had way more) and a sack, Falae definitely needs some help back there in the back field.
Falae got a little more help in the 4th Qtr
This sent in by a blogger.. I know I said I wouldn't do this, but I am running it after editing it a little bit at the end because I feel otherwise it's a solid post and in no way malicious.
(and sorry, I won't run rumors though I will check on them)
Tony,
Offense was the letdown. Burke really had a hard time throwing downfield. Many passes blocked at the line of scrimmage. Most of Sinisi’s receptions were of the safety valve variety. San Miguel had a bunch of shovel passes. Kiley and Nalbone saw none go their way. Only one worthwhile pass dowfield and that was to freshman Yudin. You could see the delay of game penalty coming.
Post a Comment
<< Home