After both teams suffered season-opening losses on the road, Monmouth is eager to bounce back as they welcome Lafayette to Kessler Stadium for their home opener this Saturday afternoon in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The showdown promises an intense matchup, with both teams seeking their first win of the 2024 season.
Game Info
- Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FloFootball
- Venue: Kessler Stadium, West Long Branch, New Jersey
Key Players to Watch: Lafayette
Dean Denobile has completed 69.7% of his passes so far this season, amassing 162 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He’ll need to improve his decision-making under pressure if Lafayette is to pose a serious threat to Monmouth’s defense.
Troy Bruce leads Lafayette’s ground attack, although his production has been limited to 29 rushing yards on four carries. Expect Bruce to see more opportunities to carry the ball as the Leopards aim to balance their offensive attack.
Chris Carasia is Lafayette’s top receiver, hauling in eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown in their opener. Carasia will likely be Denobile’s go-to target against Monmouth, making him a key player to watch on Saturday.
Key Players to Watch: Monmouth
Derek Robertson has been a standout for Monmouth, throwing for 390 yards and three touchdowns with a 64.3% completion rate in the season opener. Robertson’s performance will be critical if Monmouth hopes to secure a win in front of their home crowd.
Makhi Green and Rodney Nelson will need to step up in the ground game, as Monmouth’s rushing attack was largely ineffective against Eastern Washington. Both backs combined for only 34 rushing yards in the opener, a statistic that must improve for the Hawks to maintain a balanced offense.
TJ Speight emerged as Robertson’s favorite target, catching five passes for 97 yards in the opener. Speight’s ability to create separation and rack up yards after the catch will be crucial to Monmouth’s offensive success.
Monmouth vs. Lafayette: What to Expect
Both teams come into this matchup hungry for a win after disappointing starts to their seasons. Monmouth’s passing game, led by Robertson, will likely be the focal point of their offense, especially with Speight playing a key role. On the other side, Lafayette’s defense will need to contain Robertson and force turnovers to give Denobile and the offense a chance to capitalize.
The Leopards’ ground game, while limited so far, could be a game-changer if Bruce and Curtis can find gaps in Monmouth’s defense. However, the key matchup may lie in how well Lafayette’s secondary can handle Monmouth’s passing attack.
In a game that could go either way, Monmouth holds the home-field advantage and the narrow series lead, but Lafayette has proven they can compete with the Hawks, as shown in their 2023 victory. Fans can expect a close, hard-fought battle as both teams look to notch their first win of the season.
Monmouth Looks to Rebound After Tough Loss
The Monmouth Hawks faced a tough challenge in their college football season opener, falling to Eastern Washington in a double-digit loss. This was the first-ever encounter between the two teams, and it highlighted areas where Monmouth will need to improve to compete in their home opener. Quarterback Derek Robertson had a solid performance, completing 27 of 42 passes for 390 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Despite Robertson’s efforts, Monmouth struggled to establish their running game, with only 17 rushing yards from Makhi Green.
The Hawks will look to correct these issues when they take the field at Kessler Stadium, a venue where they’ve found success in the past. Monmouth holds a narrow 3-2 lead in the all-time series against Lafayette, although the Leopards secured a 28-20 victory in last year’s meeting. The home crowd at Kessler Stadium could be a key factor in helping the Hawks gain momentum and turn the tide in their favor.
Lafayette Seeking Redemption
Lafayette, like Monmouth, is coming off a tough road loss, falling to Buffalo in their season opener. Dean Denobile, the Leopards’ quarterback, completed 23 of 33 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The Leopards will need to cut down on turnovers if they hope to upset Monmouth on the road. Running back Troy Bruce showed promise, carrying the ball four times for 29 yards, while wide receiver Chris Carasia was a bright spot with eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.
With a chance to even the all-time series at 3-3, Lafayette will be motivated to put last week’s loss behind them and spoil Monmouth’s home opener.
