Boland has Hawks aiming for championship
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Brian Boland of Brick has one wish before concluding his college football career at Monmouth University: win another Northeast Conference championship.

"I think this might be my last year of playing football, so I definitely want to go out with another conference championship," said Boland after helping the Hawks raise their record to 4-0 on Saturday with a 17-12 nonconference victory at Colgate.

Boland tasted a championship two seasons ago at Monmouth, his second season there after transferring from Rutgers University. And his team on Saturday had the look of a serious conference contender against a 1-2 Colgate team that played in the NCAA Division I-AA title game in 2003 and that is favored to repeat as Patriot League champion.

Monmouth only once before started

4-0 - in 2003.

"Our expectations don't change," said Boland. "We expected to win the conference championship last year and fell off with four losses. We expect to be there with the best teams in the conference this season. If not, it's because we've made key mistakes."

Boland said errors and the injury to wide receiver Miles Austin, as well as some other injuries, took their toll last season.

But this is a new season with renewed hopes and no key injuries at this point. As for Boland, he feels he is ready to lead the Hawks to the title.

Boland recently set a school career total offensive yardage mark in the victory over St. Peter's, giving him 6,234 yards and surpassing the 6,147 yards set by Dan Sabella in 1994-97.

"I think I'm off to a good start," said the former Brick Memorial star with a touch of modesty. "One thing I've concentrated on is limiting the number of interceptions from last year."

Boland thus far has completed an impressive 62-of-101 passes for 780 yards and five touchdowns with a quarterback efficiency rating of 138.95. He's had only one pass intercepted. And he has a trusty receiver in Adam San Miguel, his top target the past two seasons. San Miguel this season has caught 28 passes for 370 yards and two TDs.

"One thing that's even better than last year for me is my decision-making," said Boland. "That's helped limit my amount of interceptions."

San Miguel's skills can help that facet of the game.

"Adam is a very quick player with very fast feet," said Boland. "He finds holes. And our offensive coordinator has been working on ways of getting him open [more]."

Which would make Boland effective again this year. Last season, he set school single-season records in completions (188), attempts (323), passing yardage (2,334) and touchdowns (21).

San Miguel is just part of the wave of experienced players who could make this another special season for the Hawks.

"Our strength is that we're very experienced overall this year," said Boland. "We have a lot of guys playing three or four years. And with the experience, we have all that leadership."

Boland feels that will be important with the toughest part of the conference schedule ahead, including upcoming games Saturday against Stony Brook and next Saturday against Sacred Heart before road games against Wagner and Robert Morris.

"With all of the talented teams in the conference this year, you have to win every game," said Boland. "Few teams are capable of doing that."

But Boland feels his team can.