Boland-led Hawks pick up where they left off
Monmouth football team uses Hail Mary to top No. 2 Robert Morris
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY Monmouth University quarterback Brian Boland has played exceptionally well for the Hawks thus far, leading the MUteam to the top of the Northeast Conference standings once again.

Quarterback Brian Boland, of Brick, was ranked No. 4 among passers in NCAA Division I-AA for the No. 3-ranked Monmouth University football team going into last Saturday’s game against No. 2 Robert Morris, but it was a lucky play that may be the most important for him and his team this season.

It also is expected to make the Hawks the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.

Boland passed for 252 yards and completed his third touchdown pass of the game on a bomb up for grabs in the end zone on the final play as the Hawks won, 29-27, in Coraopolis, Pa. Veteran wide receiver Jimmy Hiltwine caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Boland that set off a wild celebration by the 3-0 Hawks.

“It was a ‘Hail Mary’ play,” said Boland reflecting on the play back in West Long Branch on Monday. “We had gotten the ball back with 23 seconds left [after Robert Morris went ahead, 27-23, on a touchdown] and we had three receivers in the end zone and I threw it as high as I could. It deflected off the hands of Miles [Austin] and Jimmy grabbed it.”

Hiltwine’s touchdown reception came one play after he caught a 31-yard pass from Boland at the RMU 32-yard line. Hiltwine caught the ball as he was lying on the ground after Colonial defenders knocked the ball in the air. The winning touchdown for Monmouth came after Robert Morris had taken a 27-23 lead with 23 seconds left in the game with an 18-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Drew Geyer to senior wide receiver Dante Settles.

As for possibly winning a second straight Northeast Conference title, Boland says this win “puts us in the driver’s seat. We’re in a fairly good position.”

It also is expected to lift Monmouth to the top spot in the midmajor poll after No. 1 Dayton lost to Yale, 24-17.

Boland, who took every snap Saturday, shared playing time in the two previous games with Brendan Kennedy, of Middletown, who was expected to start last season before getting a season-ending injury in preseason. Boland had just transferred to Monmouth from Rutgers, where he was a red-shirt player for his one year there. He apparently was unhappy with his prospects for playing time, and turned to coach Brian Callahan, who had ardently recruited him while he was a state caliber quarterback at Brick Memorial. Because of Monmouth’s I-AA classification, Boland was able to play immediately and responded superbly to his role as Monmouth won the conference and lost a 12-10 thriller at Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Duquesne in an ECAC postseason bowl.

He has picked up where he left off, completing 15 of 26 passes on Saturday and throwing only his first interception of the season — a superb performance that could move him up even higher this week from his No. 4 ranking. Boland currently has completed 42-of-62 passes for 608 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has rushed for a touchdown and has 25 yards on the ground.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised. I definitely expected to do well,” said Boland. “I think our offense is a little more dangerous this year. Our offensive coordinator has put in new plays.”

A big reason for the 107 points in three games is that the offense is laden with experience, including Austin, who scored three touchdowns on pass receptions of 69 and 10 yards out of the backfield in the first half, when both teams played to a 14-14 tie, and a 5-yard dash with a blocked punt.

Boland has blossomed with the veteran players around him. He says it’s the reason why he only has the one interception this season.

“It’s just having the experience of playing,” said Boland. “I’m probably throwing a little better. My arm is stronger from [weight] lifting. In the first three games, we’ve been pretty balanced passing and running the ball.

“We have a great set of receivers and they have a lot to do with our success. We have more passing schemes,” he said.

With that comes the prospect of one goal that eluded the Hawks last season — sweeping the conference schedule.

The Hawks return home on Saturday to host Stony Brook at Kessler Field, for a 1 p.m. tilt.