Monmouth's Defense Primed For A Turnaround Season

WEST LONG BRANCH – There’s no getting around it. For Monmouth University football to meet or even exceed the lofty expectations that have been heaped upon them this season, its beleaguered defense must make significant strides, or else it will be looking at another lost season.

Last season, the Hawks' defense ranked 98th out of 123 FCS teams in yards allowed per game (423.1) and 14th out of 16 Coastal Athletic Association teams in points allowed per game (33.5) and yards allowed per game (423.1). Those numbers must improve substantially; no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It’s been a chronic problem that’s haunted the Hawks for years.

No one's asking them to all of a sudden become the 85’ Bears defense; that’s unrealistic. But what is needed from them is a steady sign of improvement, from getting off the field on third down to making the opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket.

With Monmouth’s high-octane offense, which ranked second in the country last season and has virtually the entire starting unit back, even an average, middle-of-the-pack defense would get the job done this season. And from all indications coming out of fall training camp, that might be the case; the defense is giving the offense fits on a daily basis.

“We have to be better at playing complementary football,” said second-year defensive coordinator Lewis Walker. “We have a high-powered offense, which is a luxury for us, for them to be able to score points and keep us in games. And of course, every defense in the country has to get off the field on third down, create turnovers, and hold people to low points to have the best chance to win on Saturday, and we think we’ll be better at that this season.

“It’s much different, from the staff all the way down to the players,” added Walker when asked to compare this year’s defense to last year’s. “Our guys have all bought in and are fighting hard, and our coaches are coaching hard with clarity and detail and continuing to get the guys educated in our system.”

Senior Viper back and captain, Justin Bennin, who was fifth on the team in tackles (55 total, 35 solo) with two interceptions last season, knows the defense must play better for the team to reach its ultimate goal.

“Absolutely,” said Bennin when asked if this defense is up to the task. “I feel like the defense is in a lot better spot than it's ever been. A lot of it comes down to our habits and the foundation that we’ve built. And the pressure (to excel) isn’t really pressure right now. We’re accustomed to that. We’ve been dealing with pressure for so long that it no longer feels like pressure. So, our comfort is going to take us to a new level, and we're positive we’re going to be able to set a great precedent for this year. I feel different about this year; now it’s all about performance. “

Lewis had this to say about his defensive leader. “Justin’s played from corner to safety to now the viper position for us. He brings a ton of value not only as a football player but as a leader. Whether he’s on the field or off the field, he’s always coaching guys up. He’s always in the right spot and continues to be a leader to our defense and to the entire team as well. His value is invaluable.”

Walker is right about this year’s defense; it is different. You can feel it in the air. It’s like a simmering volcano ready to erupt. And asserting itself against the No.1 offense in the country on a daily basis can only foster the trust between players that is growing with each passing practice.

“We’re going up against the No.1 offense in the nation every day,” said Bennin. “There’s no other FCS school you can go to that gives you this amount of work against this caliber of offense. I'm grateful that we all have this opportunity to go against great players that are pushing us to be better every day, and we’re hoping to be able to do the same vice versa.”

As with every school, the transfer portal giveth and taketh away. The key here is to take more than you give, and the Hawks accomplished that. They lost six key players from last season’s defense, but brought in 12 players on defense through the portal who are either potential starters or valuable depth pieces.

The guys that came into our program via the transfer portal have brought in a ton of value,” Walker said. “There are some guys with valuable experience, and there are some guys that have been leaders from the program they came from, and they’re continuing to be comfortable with bringing those traits here with them. They all just add value in terms of depth, experience, and leadership.”

Walker named a few transfers off the top of his head who have stood out in training camp so far, including defensive linemen Josiah Graham and J.J. Lewis and linebackers Spencer Kishbaugh and Evan Rutkowski. He also mentioned returning defensive tackle Bryce Rooks, who he said is healthy now and primed for a breakout season.

“The transition has been great,” said Bennin of the transfer portal additions. “They’re starting to get to know the guys and build connections and are becoming part of the family. They’ve been performing well and will be a big part of the team.”

The secondary went through growing pains last season when everyone on the two-deep depth chart aside from Bennin was either a freshman or a sophomore getting their first taste of varsity action. All seven are back this season with a year of experience under their belts, so that bodes well for the Hawks. Add in the four defensive backs brought in through the portal, and the secondary may be the strength of the defense.

“Yeah, that’s a luxury,” said Walker about the experience in the defensive backfield. “You play on defense with six or seven redshirt freshmen or true freshmen or sophomores, and those guys get that experience to come back and be able to be comfortable in a scheme they’re used to now, and that’s showing every day in practice.”

Bennin is excited about the depth and talent returning to the secondary. “We’re just stacking on what we’ve built already. Now we have a foundation, and we can build upon it. There’s more knowledge; we’re getting smarter as we go along. We’re stronger, we’re getting more comfortable, and more refined in our technique. Everything overall is progressing in the secondary, and we’re in a great spot.”

All arrows are pointing up, and although it’s only two weeks into fall training camp, there is plenty of reason to be enthusiastic about this year’s emerging defense. There’s a buzz around this defense that hasn’t been felt in years. If they can come out of training camp healthy and continue their climb to respectability, it will go a long way in helping the team achieve its ultimate goal – a championship.

No one will say it, and rightfully so, but anything less than a championship this season will be a letdown.