Some Monmouth Perspective on the game

We are less than 24 hours from the annual Military Appreciation Day game against the Monmouth Hawks. Before we jump into my chat with Monmouth beat writer Josh Newman from the Asbury Park Press, here is a look at the helmet the Flames will be using for the matchup tomorrow (credit to Liberty Flames Equipment on Twitter(:

DEfinitely one of my favorites as far as helmet logo goes...

Anyway, Thanks to Mr Newman for answering a few questions for us ahead of tomorrow's game. I hope he had a good trip and enjoys himself in Lynchburg this weekend (well except the final score). Here is our chat from Wednesday:

Fan the Flames: Monmouth is in its first season in the Big South after years in the Northeast Conference, which had fewer scholarships. How have the growing pains been for the Hawks as they adjust to the new conference and the increase in talent in addition to the scholarships?
Josh Newman:   I think the growing pains are evident in Monmouth’s first two Big South games, an 18-12 loss to Presbyterian and a 27-0 loss to Charleston Southern. Those teams were talented, but they were deep at most positions, athletic at the skill spots and big across the lines. The increase in the scholarships is certainly something that Monmouth is growing into as it now has 50 at its disposal with that number set to rise. The staff had 50 for this current freshman class, which they are quite high on for the future, so they need to keep up the recruiting momentum if they hope to get on par with these Big South teams.
FTF:  What lessons did Monmouth learn from their first trip to Lynchburg last year that they can take with them into this year's matchup?
JN: That game at Liberty last year was Monmouth’s first lesson in Big South football. They went to Lynchburg as an independent and saw firsthand what the crowd and atmosphere of a big-time FCS football really looks like and I think it helped to have some sort of knowledge of what they were up against going into this season. Also, and this goes back, to my point in question No. 1, they learned what it’s going to take in terms of personnel to compete at this level. As a whole, they’re not quite there yet and I think everyone within the program realizes that at this time.
FTF:  How have the Hawks rebounded following the two losses to Presbyterian and Charleston Southern after starting the season with 5 wins in 6 games?
JN: To be honest, I’m not sure they have rebounded yet. Monmouth really took it on the chin Saturday against Charleston Southern at home, so it’ll be interesting to see how they respond going into what will obviously be a hostile environment against a Big South power in Liberty. I’m certainly interested to see how they respond after a loss like that as it was easily their worst showing of the season after a very promising 5-1 start against their non-conference schedule.
FTF: What are three keys for the Hawks to come out of Lynchburg with a victory?
JN:   First and foremost, Monmouth absolutely needs to find a way to deal with Josh Woodrum, which is easier said than done. Woodrum is dangerous with his arm as well as his legs, so not an easy matchup for the Hawks, let alone anyone really. No. 2, get the run going. Monmouth’s run game behind sophomore Lavon Chaney had been solid before going stymied the last two weeks against PC and Charleston Southern. It’s been my contention that the run game needs to get going because you don’t want to have to put everything on QB Brandon Hill’s shoulders. Hill has had a fine season, but it’s just not ideal to do that. Third, and this is probably cliché, but overcome Williams Stadium. That is one of the great atmosphere in FCS, so overcome the initial wave that that crowd will bring and settle into the game. If Liberty jumps out early and that crowd is engaged, it could be a long day.
FTF: What is the matchup you are most looking forward to seeing on Saturday afternoon?
JN: The matchup I’m looking at is Woodrum vs. the Monmouth secondary. That Hawks unit came into the season young and inexperienced and while there have been hiccups, guys like SS Mike Basile, a Jerry Rice Award candidate, and freshman CB Marcus Leslie have come along well and the future is bright for the younger guys in that defensive backfield. Woodrum, as I indicated, is special at this level, so I’d like to see how bad he picks on some of the guys. 

Thanks again to Josh for taking a few minutes to talk ahead of the matchup tomorrow. The game can be seen at 3:30 on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network as part of the American Sports Network Big South football package. Evan Lepler will be on the call for this one.