ESPN College Football

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Drew Smith helped Albany's running game poke holes in one of the Northeast Conference's top defenses as the Great Danes prevailed 55-24 over Monmouth (N.J.) on Saturday.

The Hawks (3-2, 2-1) entered with the third ranked defense in the Football Championship Subdivision, allowing 72.2 rushing yards per game and only 37 points over their past three games -- all wins -- combined. Saturday, The Great Danes (4-1, 2-0) obliterated that defense with 263 yards rushing, including first quarter scoring runs of 77 and 61 yards by Kevin Chillis and Smith, respectively, as the team built a 21-7 lead.

Smith struck again early in the third quarter, scoring from 4-yards out to extend the Great Danes' lead to 31-10. Smith finished with 109 yards on 18 carries and three scores.

For Monmouth, Kyle Frazier was 33-of-52 passing for 274 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.