By LeMont Joyner
Has Hofstra football finally found their identity? I would like to think so. This past weekend Hofstra was able to beat Northeastern by 28 points. This blowout proved to the Pride and their fans that Hofstra is not a bad team.
Now I know what you are thinking, "Yes Hofstra won, but Northeastern was only 4-6." Good point, but naysayers are only looking at the glass half-empty. Every team in the CAA is a relatively good team when compared to all teams throughout collegiate football.
Hofstra was able to beat Northeastern by 28 despite being ravaged by injuries. We all know that quarterbacks Brian Savage and Corey Christopher are out for the season due to injury. But also, in this game junior offensive lineman Mike Trice, sophomore receiver Anthony Nelson, running back Justin Buries, senior receiver Ottis Lewis, center Jimmy Mangiero, defensive back Garrett Heron, and tight-end Bryant Carpenter all did not suit up to play.
These are only few of the players that are on the Pride's injury report this season. But even in this highly competitive game with a third string freshman quarterback starting and many new starters, the Pride were still able to have great production from both sides of the ball.
Freshman quarterback Steve Probst threw 16 for 22 for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns. Easily his best game since his debut in the double-OT thriller versus Maine. Running back Everette Benjamin had one of his best games of the season as he carried the ball 24 times for 122 yards and 1 touchdown. And wide receiver Aaron Weaver continued his great season showing the impressive connection of Probst to Weaver as he grabbed five balls for 46 yards and 2 touchdowns.
"It just feels good to win," Benjamin says, "We never doubted ourselves, but after four straight losses, it kind of forces you to look in the mirror."
I think we all did that and it showed on the field." Yes, "it" did indeed show on the field. And what that "it" was, was execution. Probst, Benjamin, and Weaver carried the offense quite similarly to Manning, Jacobs, and Burress of the New York Giants. Now the Pride are not having as near a good season as the Giants. But if these "big three" play as well all next season as they did versus Northeastern, Hofstra can realistically look at a winning season.
The Pride defense, which I brutally called out in my last column, shut me up today. I do not know what Coach Cohen did, but the defense was on fire. The Pride forced three turnovers on the day and held the offense to only 171 total yards.
Hopefully, Hofstra can use this much needed momentum and finish the season with a win. They have a tough task against Massachusetts who has a record of 6-5, but if the Pride play like this all the time, I would like to see a rematch with U Conn.