#Fordham Rolls Over Monmouth University

#Fordham Rolls Over Monmouth University 

Fordham Rams’ Success Continues

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-Usually, when a college team is dominated by underclassmen, one can expect a decline in the previous year’s performance. This only changes when the freshmen players adjust to playing at a higher level of competition than in high school and when the players on the team develop a unity with their many new teammates. 

Thirty of last year’s Fordham Rams graduated. Only four of last year’s 22 starters returned to those roles in 2015. Yet in 2015, the Rams (3-1) have shown the same high level of performance as they had in the previous three years Joe Moorhead has been head coach. 

After Saturday’s 54-31 victory over the Monmouth University Hawks (1-3), the modest coach gave the credit for the win to others, “It’s a tremendous testament to our leaders, the assistant coaches and the upperclassmen on the team. The kids [freshmen] have bought into that. It’s all of us together.” 

It’s not coincidental that the 1-10 Rams of 2011 improved to 6-5 in 2012, Moorhead’s first season as head coach and were winners of double digits numbers of games in the next two seasons, 2013 and 2014, and as well, qualified for the FCS championship in both years.

The win on Saturday improved their record under Moorhead to 32-11. Their mark at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx is even better, 19 wins in the last 21 games. 

Moorhead’s pre-game theme to his players was “The price of greatness is responsibility”. It was accepted by the team in total.

Sophomore Chase Edmunds, the pre-season choice to be Offensive player of the Year in the Patriot League, netted 95 yards on the ground on 18 carries and 42 yards in the air on two receptions. He paces the team on both yardage categories this year. Edmunds also scored three touchdowns. Stephen Hodge, the selection to be the Patriot League’s Defensive Player of the Year, led the team with 15 tackles. Quarterback Kevin Anderson, who had not thrown a collegiate pass until the opening game of this season against Army, equaled his previous week’s showing by again throwing five touchdown passes and gaining more than 300 (3400 yards on 19 of 27 passes. He also gained 35 yards on eight carries. Makay Redd kicked two field goals, including one of 54 yards and six extra points. 

In addition to the players most noted for their achievements on the field, everyone on the team contributed to the outstanding victory. Those blocking the opponents allowed each rush and pass to be successful. Those on the special teams who intercepted a pass or successfully kicked an extra point or a field goal were also indispensable to the win. The Fordham performance on Saturday was the epitome of a team win.  

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