One can say that Monmouth has enjoyed a good run in its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Hawks weren’t expected to be immediate contenders (voted to finish 10th in the preseason poll), and that has come to fruition. But this has been an entertaining and competitive team.
Moving from the Big South to the CAA, Monmouth is 4-5, 3-4, but the offense has done its share of heavy lifting.
Consider that Monmouth has lost three games in which they scored 45 or more points, including two against Top 25 teams. There was a 52-49 loss to Fordham in the second game of the season. Monmouth also lost a 48-46 decision in your typical seven-overtime thriller to Rhode Island. HERO Sports FCS analyst Sam Herder has voted Rhode Island 16th and Fordham 23rd in his weekly ballot for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll.
And this past weekend, the Hawks suffered a 52-48 loss to Towson.
In these pass-happy times, the Monmouth ground game has been something to witness.
Monmouth has the leading rusher in the FCS. The Hawks also have another running back who is tied for second in rushing touchdowns and tied for first among running backs.
Now that’s a nice combo.
The FCS rushing leader is Jaden Shirden, a 5-9, 185-pound sophomore who has gained 1,365 yards on the ground. Shirden can really turn on the jets when teams allow him to get the outside.
Three times this year Shirden has rushed for more than 200 yards, gaining 299 (on just 12 carries) with two touchdowns against Fordham. He rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in a 49-42 upset win over Villanova. And in the loss to Towson, he rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries.
Shirden is averaging an insane 8.7 yards per carry and has run for 11 touchdowns.
That rushing TD total is good for second – on his own team.
Teammate Owen Wright, a 5-11, 225-pound graduate student, is tied for second in FCS in rushing touchdowns with 15. Wright and North Alabama’s ShunDerrick Powell are the leading running backs in rushing touchdowns. Montana State quarterback Sean Chambers leads the FCS with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Wright, who is in his second season with Monmouth after starting his career at William & Mary, is the prototypical short-yardage back. He has rushed for 274 yards (4.9 avg.). Wright has 56 carries, which means he has scored a touchdown on every 3.7 carries.
He has rushed for at least one touchdown in every game.
Of course, this is not just a one-dimensional offense. The Hawks have 20 touchdown passes. During the loss to Towson, true freshman Enzo Arjona completed 18 of 25 for 213 yards and three touchdowns while making his first start. He replaced highly-regarded junior Tony Muskett, who was sidelined with a knee injury.
So no matter who is in control for 30th-year head coach Kevin Callahan, Monmouth has one of the more exciting FCS offenses.
The Hawks average 39.9 points per game, eighth among FCS schools.
They are also eighth in rushing offense, averaging 233 yards per game. The balance is demonstrated by the fact that Monmouth averages 247.9 passing yards per game. Monmouth is sixth in FCS in total yards (480.9 per game).
Of course, the flip side is the defense. Monmouth allows 34.1 points, 89th among FCS schools.
So the defense needs some fixing, but the well-balanced offense is worth the price of admission for a Monmouth team that has brought an exciting brand of football in its first CAA season.
