Up for the Challenge: Monmouth University Football Preview

The way head coach Kevin Callahan sees it, if Monmouth University’s football program is going to keep moving forward and improving its stature, it will have to consistently take on the best.

That’s part of the reason why the Hawks, coming off a 3-8 season that featured four one-point losses, have lined up their most challenging nonconference schedule ever, which kicks off with a 1 p.m. game against Lehigh on Saturday at Kessler Field. Lehigh, which is ranked No. 13 in the Sports Network Top 25 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) poll, is the highest-nationally ranked team to ever visit Monmouth.

On Sept. 17, the Hawks will visit perennial FCS power Villanova, which is ranked No. 14 in the nation. On Oct. 8, Patriot League program Colgate comes to Monmouth for a nonconference clash.

“I think it’s a no-brainer,’’ Callahan said about the ramped-up schedule.

Monmouth competes against Colonial Athletic Association and Patriot League schools for recruits, so this sends the message that the Hawks also play a challenging schedule. Any type of victory over one of these programs would send the message to prospective players that they play some great football in the Northeast Conference as well. Monmouth is 4-5 all-time against Patriot League schools, which include Lehigh, with its last victory coming against Colgate in 2006.

“You want to have an aggressive schedule because we want guys who want to play that type of schedule,’’ said Callahan, who is entering his 19th season as the program’s only head coach. “When you have teams that are nationally-ranked, that opens eyes in terms of the recruits.’’

The other reason for the challenging slate is that for the first time, the NEC gets an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. If Monmouth can find a way to win the conference title this season and reach the postseason, Callahan doesn’t want the Hawks to be shell-shocked by an increased level of competition.

“I don’t want the first time we face playoff-caliber competition to be in the actual playoffs,’’ Callahan said.

A crucial component of whether Monmouth will be able to make a run at the NEC title and give these nonconference heavyweights a game will be the improvement of the defense. The Hawks surrendered 25.7 points per game last season, which tied for fifth in the nine-team NEC.

This season, they hope to get after opposing quarterbacks thanks to a deep defensive line that should take some pressure off a talented secondary. Former Manchester star Jimmy Lawson, a sophomore defensive tackle, has looked impressive in the preseason, and he is part of a defensive front that will be able to stay fresh throughout the game. Senior Austin Kugler, a former Toms River North standout, junior Brad Harris, junior Mike Upham, senior Ian Simon, freshman Eric Macik, and senior Chris Luma will all see time up front.

“One thing I noticed in spring practice is that the defensive line is much deeper than we've ever been,’’ Callahan said. “We’re able to generate a lot more pressure on the quarterback than in previous years. I think we've got eight guys who can play.’’

Another former Shore Conference star, Manasquan’s Dan Sullivan, is expected to be a primary contributor at linebacker. Sullivan played three games as a true freshman last year before suffering a torn scapula in his left shoulder that ended his season. A high-intensity player known for his non-stop motor, Sullivan will start as a sophomore at middle linebacker.

“I really think Dan Sullivan is going to make a huge impact this year,’’ said Callahan, whose son was a teammate of Sullivan’s at Manasquan. “He’s a difference-maker in the middle.’’

Sophomore Steve Barroso, a former Toms River North standout, will be at outside linebacker along with former Wall star Billy Lauch. Freshman Colin Cooper also should see significant time.

The secondary is led by fifth-year senior safety Jose Gumbs, a two-time, first-team All-NEC selection who was named the NEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 as a junior.

On the offensive side, the Hawks return senior quarterback Kyle Frazier, who directed an offense that averaged 25.9 points per game last season, good for fourth in the NEC. Last year, Frazier started all 11 games, but split time with former Raritan star Andrew Mandeville, who has graduated. This season, he is the main guy from Day One on the heels of a season in which he threw for 2,072 yards and nine touchdowns.

“(Frazier) has really assumed a leadership role and taken command of our offense,’’ Callahan said. “To a certain extent, he looked over his shoulder a little bit when there was another guy in the picture. Now he's more relaxed.’’

He also has an imposing group of targets in tight ends Tyler George and Mike McLafferty. George is a 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior, while McLafferty is 6-foot-6, 250-pound redshirt sophomore who was a quarterback in high school at Sayreville. Former Shore Regional star quarterback Evan Ruane is now a tight end, and the 6-foot-4 freshman could be the next in line at that spot. George led Monmouth with 36 catches and 366 yards receiving last year to go with two touchdowns.

“We’re probably as good as we've ever been from a depth standpoint at that position,’’ Callahan said.

Junior Tristan Roberts, a junior college transfer, and Sullivan’s former Manasquan teammate, sophomore Neal Sterling, are both promising wide receivers. The offensive line is led by 300-pound senior left tackle Mike Murphy, a former Toms River East star.

One of the main question marks may be the running game, which looks to be by committee at first. Junior Pete Nagy, freshman Julian Hayes, and senior Balial Sloan El all have seen time at tailback in the preseason scrimmages.

“Early on, you're going to see all of them get a little bit of time, but eventually it could become one guy,’’ Callahan said.

One area that was a source of frustration last season was special teams, which figured heavily in those four one-point losses last fall. Sophomore kicker Eric Spillane, a former Colts Neck star, set the single-season school record with 16 field goals, which led the NEC. However, some blocked kicks and misses proved crucial in certain games, including a one-point loss to Robert Morris.

“Eric Spillane has improved dramatically since last year, when he kicked more field goals than anyone in our history,’’ Callahan said. “One of biggest things he improved was his timing. He was slow to the ball last year and that resulted in some blocks more than the protection, but he’s really worked on that a lot.’’

Monmouth could have easily been 7-4 last season had it been able to finish the job against several teams, so that is an area that Callahan has harped on.

“We have to be able to close out wins,’’  he said. “Last year I didn't feel that we played complete games, so that is something we have worked hard on.’’

It all gets started on Saturday with a bang against a well-regarded Lehigh program.

“I would much rather player a Lehigh, a Colgate, or a Delaware than a lower-level team where you know you're going to win,’’ Callahan said. “What's the fun in that? I understand the fact that the chance you might not win is greater against teams like (Lehigh), but the overall experience is better, and it makes your program better.’’