Bahar throws for 5 TDs, Monmouth rolls over Gardner-Webb

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) — Kenji Bahar threw for a career-high 407 yards and five touchdowns as Monmouth closed out the regular season with a 56-42 victory over Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon.

Bahar's five touchdown tosses tied the Monmouth and Big South Conference records. Reggie White Jr. hauled in four of those scoring passes to total 220 yards receiving. Pete Guerriero rushed for 182 yards and one score on 16 carries.

Monmouth (8-3, 3-1), which finished one game behind league-leading Kennesaw State, amassed 790 total yards with 431 of those coming through the air.

Monmouth jumped out to a 21-7 lead before the Bulldogs charged back to tie it at 21-21 after A.J. Moses rushed for two straight scores in the second quarter. The Hawks responded with a touchdown when Guerriero broke for a 65-yard scoring scamper with 1:00 left in the first half.

Bahar nailed White on scoring strikes of 11 and 76 yards to start the second half and Monmouth coasted to the win.

Elijah Perry finished with 156 yards rushing and one score for Gardner-Webb (3-8, 1-3).