(This article originally appeared on Press Box.)
Sacred Heart (2-6, 0-5) at Monmouth (3-4, 3-1)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
1pm – Kessler Field, West Long Branch, NJ
Radio: 1160AM, 1310AM, shoresportsnetwork.com
THE LAST WHISTLE: Monmouth comes off a 19-7 win off St. Francis last Saturday, highlighted by strong special teams and defensive play from Jose Gumbs. Next up for head coach Kevin Callahan’s team: Sacred Heart.
“They’ve got an explosive offense,” Callahan said. “They can put points up and have on just about everybody in and out of the league. They have a terrific passing game. The quarterback [Dale] Fink was an all-conference kid in 2008. He can really throw the ball and he’s got a good group of receivers to throw it to.”
The Pioneers come to West Long Branch after beating Georgetown 33-20 last weekend. That victory snapped a six game losing streak.
THE HISTORY: This will be the 16th matchup overall between the Hawks and Pioneers, with Monmouth holding an 11-4 lifetime record.
THE MATCHUP: Keys for Monmouth:
1) Offensively, be aggressive. The Pioneers have the second-to-worst scoring defense in the Northeast Conference, surrendering almost 30 points a game. Especially if the Hawks defense allows this game to become a shootout, Kyle Frazier’s bunch will need to put up the most points as possible.
2) Defensively, limit the big plays. The Pioneers come in with the best passing offense in the Northeast Conference, averaging 240 yards per game. Preventing big plays from receivers Mark Uyeno, Rich Rossi, Tony Patterson and Garry Coles will go a long way towards that.
Keys for Sacred Heart:
1) Keep doing what they’ve been doing offensively – pass the ball and score points. QB Dale Fink needs to have a big game. If he does, and the Pioneers stick to their season averages, the Hawks could be in trouble.
2) Defensively, get off the field. Just like with St. Francis last week, if you’re a team that gives up a lot of yards and a lot of points, the easiest way to rectify the problem is to force the opponents into three-and-outs get off the field as fast as possible.
THE QUOTE #1: “I get the comment about that every single game from the other team. ‘[#]83 in the backfield?’” Monmouth WR and defensive back Chris Hogan on the reaction he gets from playing both sides of the ball.
THE STAT: Monmouth kicker Eric Spillane is one field goal shy of tying the record for most in a season, 13, currently held by Steve Andriola from 2003.
And to listen to past episodes of Teeing It Up from my college days, visit my 
