MUFLIRA, Zambia (Interstat) — Monmouth rode a dominant rushing attack and a near-flawless performance from quarterback Derek Robertson to a 42-31 victory over Towson on Saturday at John Kachofa Stadium, defying pregame projections that heavily favored the Tigers.

The Hawks improved to 4-1 overall, while Towson fell to an even 3-3.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Towson win with a final score of 42-41, and its ELO system gave the Tigers a 57.7 percent probability of victory. Towson was also a 10-point pregame favorite. The combined score of 73 points went under the over/under line of 79.5.

Monmouth set the tone early with a methodical 15-play, 75-yard opening drive that consumed more than half of the first quarter. The drive was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from Rodney Nelson, who was the engine of the Hawks’ offense all afternoon.

The Hawks extended their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter when Robertson connected with Maxwell James on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Monmouth’s defense then made a critical play, as Deuce Lee recovered a fumble by Towson’s Kemarrion Battles to halt a promising Tigers drive.

Monmouth capitalized on the turnover, with Nelson breaking loose for a 31-yard run to set up a 1-yard Elijah Jennings touchdown plunge, pushing the lead to 21-0.

Towson, however, responded before the half. Utilizing a two-quarterback system, the Tigers found the end zone when Winston Watkins hit tight end CJ Schaeffer on a 1-yard touchdown pass. After forcing a Monmouth punt, Towson mounted another scoring drive just before halftime. Andrew Indorf orchestrated the two-minute offense effectively, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown pass to John Dunmore to cut the Monmouth lead to 21-14 at the break.

The Tigers carried that momentum into the third quarter. On their first play from scrimmage, Indorf found Jaceon Doss for a 63-yard completion, setting up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Indorf to Lukkas Londono, tying the game at 21.

Monmouth’s offense, which had stalled on its previous possession, answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to retake the lead. Jennings powered in from 1 yard out for his second touchdown, making the score 28-21.

Towson pulled even again early in the fourth quarter. Watkins, in his short-yardage specialist role, scored on an 8-yard run to cap a 75-yard drive and tie the game at 28.

The Hawks responded immediately with a decisive 10-play, 75-yard march of their own. Robertson was surgical on the drive, completing five passes before finding tight end Jack Neri for a 10-yard touchdown, giving Monmouth a 35-28 lead.

Towson drove deep into Monmouth territory on the ensuing possession but was forced to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Caden Williams, pulling within four points at 35-31 with under five minutes to play.

Any hope of a Towson comeback was extinguished by Monmouth’s ensuing clock-killing drive. The Hawks went 73 yards in 10 plays, with Jennings scoring his third touchdown of the day from 3 yards out to seal the victory with just over two minutes remaining. The Monmouth defense then closed the game with two consecutive sacks, the final one by Josiah Graham causing a fumble that was recovered by Bryce Rooks.

Monmouth’s offense was led by the backfield duo of Nelson and Jennings. Nelson, a running back from Owings Mills, Maryland, was the workhorse, carrying the ball 27 times for 152 yards and a touchdown. Jennings, from Pennsauken, New Jersey, added 47 rushing yards and three touchdowns while also catching a pass.

Quarterback Derek Robertson of Yonkers, New York, was exceptionally efficient, completing 26 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

For Towson, quarterback Andrew Indorf from Miami, Florida, completed 21 of 28 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. His primary target was Jaceon Doss of Compton, California, who hauled in seven receptions for 139 yards. The Tigers’ multifaceted quarterback system also saw Winston Watkins of Pasadena, Maryland, contribute a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown.

Monmouth next hosts Stony Brook on Oct. 18. Towson has a bye next week before traveling to face Stony Brook on Oct. 25.