WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University senior running back Kwabena Asante (Silver Spring, Md./James Hubert Blake/WVU) and junior placekicker Lucas Santangelo (Jamaica Estates, N.Y./New Hyde Park Memorial) have earned Big South Player of the Week honors after their performances in the season opening win over Delaware State, 52-21 on Saturday. Asante, who was named Choice Hotels Offensive Player of the Week scored four touchdowns, including a career-high three on the ground while Santangelo, the Special Teams Player of the Week, kicked three field goals and five extra points in his first game as MU's placekicker.

“I'm very happy for our guys winning Big South weekly awards,” said Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan.  “Both KB and Lucas had excellent performances for us that helped us to the win over Delaware State.”

Asante scored four times on Saturday, and finished with 155 yards on the ground, seventh most in FCS during Week One. He became the first player in Big South football history to score four touchdowns in a season opener,  including a long run of 26 yards. The fifth year senior captain produced an average of 6.9 yards per carry en route to his sixth career 100+ yard game and second highest output as a Hawk, while also catching two passes for 18 yards. Asante's first catch in the second quarter went for a score and put MU ahead 28-21, a lead they would not relinquish. The MU offense totaled 311 yards rushing on Saturday, as sophomore Lavon Chaney (Edgewater, Md./South River) also went over 100 on the afternoon.

Santangelo put up 14 points in his first game as Monmouth's placekicker, booting three field goals and five extra points. The junior had not attempted a field goal in his first two seasons, specializing as MU's kickoff man before converting three-of-four field goals and all five extra point attempts. The Jamaica Estates, N.Y. native knocked home back to back 23 yard field goals late in the first quarter, and hit a career-long 35 yarder in the fourth to cap off the Monmouth win.

Asante is slated to be a guest on the first Kevin Callahan Coaches Show of the season which will take place tomorrow at Jack's Goal Line Stand in West End from 7 to 8 p.m. Fans not in attendance can listen at shoresportsnetwork.com

MU returns to the gridiron after a bye week on Saturday, September 13 for a home contest against Wagner. Kickoff from Monmouth Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.