WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) A.J. Hairston threw four touchdown passes and Garret Jackson's interception led to Mike Ryan's 38-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to rally Merrimack Warriors to a 29-28 win over Monmouth Hawks on Saturday.

Hairston connected with Austin Palmer for a 61-yard touchdown to get Merrimack (5-6) within two points with eight minutes remaining. Monmouth (8-3) then took over six minutes off the clock before Jackson picked off Frankie Weaver at the Warriors' 20-yard line and returned it to Merrimack 46 with 1:50 remaining. Eight plays later Ryan kicked his game-winner.

The nonconference loss to the Warriors ended the Hawks' seven-game win streak. Nevertheless, Monmouth, ranked No. 14 in the Stats Perform poll and unbeaten in the Coastal Athletic Association, clinched the conference title outright along with an automatic bid to the Championship Subdivision playoffs after Campbell lost to Elon later Saturday.

Hairston was 17-of-21 passing for 344 yards. Palmer had 172 yards receiving with two touchdowns on five catches and Cooper Lehman also had five receptions for 119 yards and a TD.

Weaver was 27-of-46 passing for 354 yards and four TDs with an interception. Tre Meal had 139 yards receiving on nine catches with two scores and Gavin Nelson had 97 yards and a score on seven receptions.

Weaver threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter to put the Hawks up 21-12 at halftime and they led through the second half until the game-winning kick.

Merrimack: Finishes season at home against Sacred Heart next Saturday.

Monmouth: Finishes the regular season at Campbell next Saturday.

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