Nov. 8, 2003

Final Stats

FAIRFIELD, CT - Senior tailback Joe Migliore ran for a career-high 140 and scored a touchdown from three yards out with 7:32 to play in the game, to help Monmouth University to a 12-7 come-from-behind victory over host Sacred Heart University in a Northeast Conference football game on Saturday. The game was played with winds gusting as high as 30 mph, and turning it into a chess match of field position throughout.

Sacred Heart, now 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the NEC, took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 21-yard TD pass from freshman QB Dan Ammel to senior wideout Marlon Ward. The score came when sophomore Zack Kepner blocked a punt by Monmouth's Sean Dennis and Ainsley Small fell on it for the Pioneers at the Monmouth 21. Ammel's pass came on the first play after the turnover.

The Pioneers took that lead into the locker room at halftime. Monmouth took the opening kickoff and Josh James coughed up the ball on the first play, giving the Pioneers the ball at the Hawk 40. Moving into the stiff breeze, Sacred Heart managed to get the ball to the Hawk's 17 where it faced a fourth and nine. Head coach Bill Lacey decided to go for it on fourth down, rather than try the field goal into the gale. Ammel dropped back to pass and eventually tried to run for the first, but was stopped well short.

Monmouth, 9-1 overall and in first place in the NEC with a 5-1 mark, finally got on the board with 1:04 left in the third quarter on a 20-yard pass from QB Brian Boland to Miles Austin. The pass capped a quick four-play, 53-yard drive. Boland hit Miles on first down in the drive with a 42-yard pass to the SHU 11. The snap on the PAT kick was bad and Steve Andriola's mistimed try was blocked.

The Pioneers seemed to be in good position to get another score early in the fourth quarter, starting at the Monmouth 44-yard line with the wind at their backs. Three straight runs by senior tailback Jason Bonadies resulted in just five yards, forcing the Pioneers to punt. Sophomore punter David Whalen shanked his punt attempt and it traveled just 13 yards, giving Monmouth the ball at the 25.

On the first play after the punt, Migliore broke through a pack at the line and streaked 67 yards to the SHU seven. Sophomore safety Justin Mucci chased him down from behind, temporarily saving the TD. Three plays later, on a third and goal from the three, Migliore crossed goal line to give him team the lead.

After a short kickoff into the wind, Sacred Heart started its next drive on the Pioneer 36. Ammel hit receiver Nick Savino for 19 yards on second down to the Sacred Heart 28. On a third and six from the Monmouth 48, Ammel tried to run for the first down and appeared to have it, but fumbled the ball. It was recovered by Dan Blazosky for the Hawks at his own 40 with 5:38 to play.

The Monmouth offense kept the ball on the ground and drove to the SHU 20 and turned it over on downs, but not before using all but :06 of the clock.

The win means if the Hawks defeat St. Francis (PA) next week, they will win the Northeast Conference championship and represent the league in the ECAC Bowl against Duquesne in Pittsburgh on November 22.

Justin Mucci finished the game with a career-high 18 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles for the Pioneers.