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WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ -- Towson University tailback JASON CORLE, who grew up in nearby Barnegat, NJ, rushed for 148 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Tigers defeated Monmouth University, 42-20, before a crowd of 2,786 at Kessler Field today.
AARON DERWIN rushed for a short touchdown and ADAM OVERBEY hauled in an 89-yard TD pass as the Tigers (2-0) won their second straight game and defeated Monmouth for the fourth time in four meetings. Last year, Towson overcame a 21-0 lead to record a 22-21 victory over the Hawks in Maryland. It is the second straight season that Monmouth has begun the year at 0-2.
Corle, a former Southern Regional standout, has rushed for 340 yards and five touchdowns in his two visits back to his native state. Two years ago, in a game played under horrendous rain and wind, Corle gained 192 yards and scored twice as Towson earned a 15-6 victory over Monmouth.
The loss spoiled an outstanding day for Monmouth wide receiver ANTHONY GALELLA (Paramus, NJ), who set single-game school records with 12 receptions and 179 yards. He also caught one touchdown pass. Galella broke the marks of William Holder, who had nine catches against Hartwick in 1993 and 147 yards versus St. John's in 1995.
Corle scored on a four-yard run in the first quarter to cap a nine-play, 59-yard drive as Towson turned a Monmouth turnover into a 7-0 lead with 7:32 remaining. The Tigers extended the lead to 14 points as Overbey slipped behind the defense and caught a wide-open pass from KEVIN SMITH at midfield and raced the rest of the way untouched. After the Hawks committed another turnover, Corle scampered in from 12 yards out to make the score 21-0. Monmouth managed a touchdown just before the half as JOHN DiPASQUALE (Kearny, NJ) hit Galella for a 34-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-10 crossing pattern just before the half
In the second half, a third Monmouth miscue was turned into points for Towson as Smith found Overbey just inside the left-corner of the end zone for a 13-yard strike and a 28-7 advantage midway through the third period. Monmouth would answer back as DiPasqaule led the Hawks on an 80-yard march that ended with a four-yard toss to DAVE MONRO (Cliffwood Beach, NJ) making the score 28-14 in the fourth quarter. But Corle put an end to any Monmouth rally as he raced 54 yards for his final touchdown of the day with 9:05 left in the game.
Smith finished the day 12-of-17 for 158 yards with Overbey accounting for four catches and 113 yards. DiPasquale was 20-of-35 for 245 yards. CHRIS REED (Glassboro, NJ), who scored the Hawks final touchdown, gained 71 yards on 21 carries.