{"id":11302,"date":"2019-12-01T20:29:37","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T01:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=11302"},"modified":"2021-02-18T10:13:51","modified_gmt":"2021-02-18T15:13:51","slug":"monmouth-it-is-then","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=11302","title":{"rendered":"Monmouth It Is Then"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The JMU Dukes spent the opening weekend of the 2019 FCS Playoffs resting up and waiting to see who they’d play. Monmouth took care of business by beating Holy Cross 44-27, and now the Hawks will head to the ‘burg to take on JMU in round two. In the win, Monmouth jumped out a 23-0 lead, before Holy Cross rallied to make it a game (on paper). The Hawks were the better team and the deserving winner. It was Monmouth’s first ever FCS playoff win. The Dukes will aim to make it their last one for a while when the teams face off on Saturday in Bridgeforth. Monmouth isn’t a household name in the world of football (or anything else really), but it’s a solid program. Here are a few quick facts about the Hawks to get you ready for the big game this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Streaking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monmouth’s win over Holy Cross was its 9th straight. The Hawks went undefeated in conference play to win the Big South and haven’t lost a game since all the way back in September, when they lost to Montana in Missoula. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighting Up the Scoreboard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monmouth can put some points on the board. During the Hawks’ 9 game winning streak, they’ve scored 35 or more points 8 times and have averaged 42 points a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Run, Run, Run<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hawks like to run the ball. And they’re good at it. Their running back, Pete Guerriero is an absolute stud. He entered the first round game against Holy Cross as the FCS’s leading rusher averaging 139 yards a game. Then all he did was run for 220 yards and 3 TDs. It was his third straight game with over 200 rushing yards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slightly Banged Up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monmouth loves to run, but they can throw it too. QB Kenji Bahar has completed over 65% of his passes for 3,511 yards with 29 TDs and only 8 picks. But he pulled up with what appeared to be some sort of leg injury during the first half against Holy Cross. He stayed in the game, but had limited mobility. His health could be a huge factor, especially with JMU’s ability to get the quarterback.<\/p>\n