WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Nov. 4, 2006) – Senior running back Todd Harris (Duquesne, Pa. / Duquesne) became the first player in school history to have back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, but it was spoiled as the Saint Francis football team was shut out in the second half en route to a 54-20 loss at Monmouth.
The Red Flash outgained the Hawks 262-205 in the first half, but Monmouth, one of the Northeast Conference’s top defensive teams, buckled down in the second half and outscored Saint Francis 26-0 to break the game open.
The Red Flash fell to 2-8 overall, and 1-5 in the NEC with the loss. They will wrap up their 2006 season with a 1 p.m. kickoff next Saturday, against Wagner, at DeGol Field. Saint Francis will celebrate Homecoming and Senior Day against the Seahawks.
Harris gained 176 all-purpose yards in the game, including 129 on the ground via 31 carries. He scored a touchdown to tie the Saint Francis single-season mark with nine touchdowns, and he finished the game with 1,047 yards on the season. In 2005, he became the second player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He is now the first player in program history to rush for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. His career high of 1,052 yards is well within reach in the season finale, and he needs 128 yards in the final game to break Ted Helsel’s single-season school mark of 1,174, set in 1978.
Senior quarterback Anthony Doria (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton LaSalle) completed 18-fo-33 passes for 272 yards and two touchdown passes. It was the 15th game of his career in which he has thrown for 200-plus yards, and it was the 19th game in which he threw for at least two touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Michael Caputo (Bethel Park, Pa. / Seton LaSalle) reeled in seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. It was his third 100-yard receiving game of the season, and the 14th of his career.
Monmouth improved to 9-1 overall, and 5-1 in the Northeast Conference. The Hawks entered the game ranked eighth in the nation in rushing defense (98.7 ypg), fourth in scoring defense (11.7 ppg) and pass efficiency defense. They ranked 11th in the nation in total defense, yielding just 251.7 yards per game.
The Red Flash were well on their way to a terrific ball game against a tough defense. They outgained Monmouth’s average in the first half alone with 262 yards of total offense. However, Saint Francis still trailed 28-20.
After stopping the Red Flash on the first offensive series of the ballgame, the Hawks marched 68 yards in four plays to take an early 7-0 lead. But Doria took his offense down the field in workmanlike fashion on the next drive. He connected with Caputo on a 20-yard TD strike to make it 7-6. The PAT attempt was blocked. It was the 30th career touchdown receptions for Caputo.
However, after the ensuing kickoff, Monmouth quarterback Brian Boland hit Adam San Miguel with a 57-yard touchdown pass on the first offensive play to give the Hawks a 14-6 lead. The Red Flash would again respond with another impressive drive. Saint Francis went 80 yards in six plays in 3 minutes, 19 seconds, capped off by an impressive 12-yard run by Harris. Junior kicker Adam Sciulli (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Central Catholic) nailed the extra point to make it 14-13 with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter.
Monmouth again took the ball down field on its next drive to open a 21-13 lead. The Hawks went 65 yards on eight plays in 4:19, capped off by a Boland to Shane Sharpley 26-yard yard pass.
However, the game changed on the next possession when David Jiles intercepted a Doria pass for a 38-yard touchdown to make it 28-13 with 9:14 left in the first half. The Red Flash were able to get another score before the end of the half, a Maurice Sales (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Peabody) 28-yard touchdown reception, to make it 28-20 heading into the break.
But Monmouth scored 13 quick points in the third quarter to open a 41-20 lead and put the Red Flash on their heels. The Hawks also gave up just 129 yards of total offense in the second half, shutting down the potent Saint Francis offense.
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