The Review

Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy of Kevin Whitlock

On paper, the two teams do not match up. Delaware (4-0, 3-0 Colonial Athletic Association) has outscored its opponents 155-61 and stands alone atop the CAA South Division, while Monmouth (0-3, 0-2 Northeast Conference) features an inexperienced attack with seven returning starters from last year's squad.

However, the No. 12 Hens cannot overlook Monmouth, a historical top mid-major program at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision level. Delaware knows any team can pull an upset after its devastating 17-10 loss to Albany on Sept. 16 last season.

Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said although Monmouth is struggling thus far, the Hens must take seriously a Monmouth team that beat Albany last year.

"There's a parity in college football today," Keeler said. "Look at the Syracuse game last weekend. No one would have ever thought to pick against Louisville."

He said his team needs to have a big first half and pile points on the board. Delaware plans to come out strong against Monmouth, as Saturday's game will show the character and leadership of the Hens.

"If we don't get better now, it will hurt us in the end," Keeler said.

Delaware's offense faces a Hawks' defense that returns only two starters from last year. Monmouth looks for its first win of the season after losing three-straight heartbreaking contests by a total of 16 points.

Hawks head coach Kevin Callahan said his young players are improving each week but have not found the ingredient to get the first win. Monmouth is led on offense by sophomore running back David Sinisi, who rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown last week at Stony Brook and averages 100.6 yards per game. Sinisi will be targeted by CAA Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore defensive end Matt Marcorelle, who had three sacks last weekend at Towson and has anchored a much-improved Delaware defense.

"[Sinisi] is a blue-collar back who can gain yards," Callahan said. "He's a dynamic runner that's not the biggest guy on the field but a hard worker."

Keeler said Delaware's offense should match up well against an inexperienced Hawks' defense.

Callahan said the defensive line is one of the smallest he's seen in his 15 seasons at Monmouth, as his linemen average only 240-250 pounds. The Hawks do not have a returning starter on their defensive line from last season's team.

Continued...

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