Behind its rock solid defense, the Monmouth University football team took a big step towards erasing the memories of 2002.

The Hawks opened the 2003 season in West Long Branch Saturday, blanking St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, 24-0. The defense, led by All-American linebacker Joe Sentipal, kept St. Peter’s off the scoreboard and even contributed to the scoring when Joe Billups returned a pass interception a school-record 95 yards for a touchdown with 7:22 remaining in the game. With Monmouth leading 17-0 at the time, Billups’ pick took away any chance visiting Jersey City had of getting into the game and sealed the opening-game win.

Callahan used both of his promising young quarterbacks, Brandon Kennedy and Brian Boland.

Kennedy, a freshman out of Middletown South, tossed his first career touchdown pass in the second quarter, connecting with wide receiver Miles Austin on a 22-yard scoring play. Kennedy’s TD pass gave the Hawks a 10-0 cushion.

For the game, Kennedy was 10-21 for 122 yards, with one touchdown and one pick.

Boland, a transfer from Rutgers via Brick Memorial, was 2-8 for 30 yards.

The 77 yards rushing on 14 carries by junior Bobby Smith were good news for the Hawks. Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in game three last year, and he showed Saturday that he is back and can carry the load as the featured running back,

In Smith’s absence last year, Joe Migliore stepped up and was the Offensive Freshman of the Year in the Northeast Conference. The ex-Jackson star picked up 25 yards on six carries, including a six-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that made it 17-0, Monmouth. His run capped the longest scoring driver of the day for the Hawks, 71 yards on seven plays.

Callahan is deep at running back, and he spread the wealth Saturday, as the team’s 42 total carries for 144 yards were distributed among four backs and the two quarterbacks.

Billy Lynn and Tim Hiltwine both pulled down three passes each, with Lynn gaining 32 yards and Hiltwine, 26. Austin led in passing yards gained, with 50 on two catches.

Kicker Steve Andriola scored Monmouth’s first points of the game on a 19-yard field goal. He was three-for-three in extra points.

Monmouth’s defense held St. Peter’s to just 55 yards rushing on 26 attempts. Quarterback Andre Harris was 29-52, but was picked twice and only gained 191 yards on those 29 completions.

Monmouth starts up its Northeast Conference schedule Saturday, hosting Robert Morris at 1 p.m.