Monmouth sets 2013 independent schedule

West Long Branch, NJ – Monmouth University's football program will play four home games this season as it spends a 12-game schedule as an FCS independent.

The former Northeast Conference member announced its schedule on Wednesday. The Hawks will join the Big South Conference in football in 2014.

Monmouth will play four of its first five games on the road, beginning with its Aug. 29 season opener at three-time defending Big Sky Conference champion Montana State.

The Hawks will play home games at Kessler Field against Lehigh (Sept. 14), Robert Morris (Oct. 5), Cornell (Oct. 19) and Duquesne (Nov. 23).

"Joining a new conference in 2014, it was important to schedule the best possible opponents in order to prepare for the caliber of teams that we will face in the Big South," said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan, whose team had a 5-5 record last season.

2013 Monmouth University Football Schedule

Aug. 29, at Montana State

Sept. 7, at Liberty

Sept. 14, Lehigh

Sept. 21, at Holy Cross

Sept. 28, at Columbia

Oct. 5, Robert Morris

Oct. 12, at Saint Francis (Pa.)

Oct. 19, Cornell

Nov. 2, at Sacred Heart

Nov. 9, at Wagner

Nov. 16, at Bryant

Nov. 23, Duquesne