Jake Matson

I am so honored and humbled to have received the distinction of First Place for Reporting and Writing — Sports Writing Portfolio for my work in 2024 by the New Jersey Press Association My sincere thanks to the NJPA and readers who took the time to read my work this past year!

Final Monmouth 21 North Carolina A&T 17 Hawks improve to 8-2 and are on the verge of clinching their first CAA conference title

A 28-yard run out of the wildcat by Kenny Smith Jr. and that makes the result inevitable. The Hawks endured a scare, but will prevail

Hawks force a 3 and out, highlighted by JJ Lewis’ sack on 3rd down A&T punts, and that takes us to the 2 minute time out Monmouth takes over at their own 39, up 21-17 A&T has 2 timeouts remaining

Monmouth puts together. Solid drive and takes some time off, but they pass on 2nd and 3rd down with 3 minutes left and both are incomplete Hawks punt. A&T takes over at their own 16. Monmouth up 21-17. It’s clutch time for this defense

I have to take this back. Admittedly, Monmouth’s defensive errors sparked A&T, but the Hawks defense has been outstanding in the 2nd half They force a 3 and out Hawks fumble the punt return, but recover. They start the drive at their own 16 Hawks up 21-17 with 6:03 left

Monmouth is forced to punt yet again Hawks had 212 yards of offense in the first quarter They’ve had 98 since

And a tremendous response by the Hawk defense A forced fumble by Mir Haskett and Monmouth recovers, but their pinned deep at their own 2

And on 2nd and 20, A&T gets a 60-yard pass from Kevin white to Jayvonne Dillard

Hawks go 3 and out. Weaver not on the page with receivers on two option routes. One of the ugliest showings of the season for Monmouth

And instead, Mounir Keshen gets the 3rd down sack for the Monmouth stop Punt is a touchback and Hawks take over at their own 20

Brutal backbreaker for the Monmouth defense Jahide Lesaine had the 3rd down sack, but grabbed too much face mask and instead it’s a 1st down for A&T

End of 3rd Monmouth 21 NC A&T 17 2nd and 5 upcoming for the Aggies to start the 4th

To elaborate further: I understand why Monmouth has tried to lean into an advantage with their receivers against the A&T corners, but it simply hasn’t worked and it’s time to pivot. Bigger personnel, and more downhill running lanes for Jennings and Smith

As the Monmouth offense has stagnated, I really think a pivot to more Pistol and two tight end sets would be beneficial to sparking the run game Way too much lateral running, Hawks need to get downhill

A 5th punt and the Hawks receive and get a crucial 1st down on tough running by Elijah Jennings

It’s been a 3rd quarter filled with stagnation here at Kessler Stadium Four punts. A&T facing 3rd and short at their own 44 yard line Monmouth up 21-17

Hawks force the punt after an excellent 3rd down sack by Bryce Rooks and former Red Bank Catholic standout Avery Barnes

3rd quarter underway. A&T receives the 2nd half kickoff and it’s a touchback. Aggies start at their own 25

A look at the trick play, which didn’t totally fool the A&T defense, but Weaver makes a great catch and Neal makes a great throw. Fun stuff