WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University Football continues to climb the FCS polls, as the Hawks enter as No. 11 in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 and No. 12 in the Stats Perform FCS polls after the Week 6 slate of games.
 
The Hawks rose slightly after emerging victorious over Delaware State, 49-38, on Saturday – backed by a big performance on the ground by CAA Offensive Player of the Week Rodney Nelson. The No. 11/12 rankings reflect Monmouth's second-highest ranking in program history behind a No. 10/10 appearance during the Spring 2021 season.
 
Monmouth becomes the Coastal Athletic Association's top-ranked program following Rhode Island's defeat at Brown last Friday. The Rams fell to No. 17 (AFCA) and No. 18 (Stats), while Villanova hovers right around the same area with a No. 18/17 ranking. Elon is the lone team on the outside of the top 25 polls receiving votes.
 
The Hawks are 4-1 and off to their best start since 2017. Monmouth plays CAA foe Towson on the road on Saturday, October 11. The game will air live on FloCollege and will begin at 2 p.m.
 
Full AFCA Top 25 (Week 6) with Total Points Received
 
1.      North Dakota St. (26)       650
2.      South Dakota St.              621
3.      Tarleton St.                       574
4.      Montana                           567
5.      Montana St.                      530
6.      UC Davis                          499
7.      Tennessee Tech              455
8.      Lehigh                               452
9.      Southern Illinois                406
10.    Illinois St.                          399
11.    Monmouth                       383
12.    North Dakota                    359
13.    Idaho                                 306
14.    Jackson St.                       269
15.    Austin Peay                      224
16.    Northern Arizona              221
17.    Villanova                           211
18.    Rhode Island                    203
19.    Mercer                              164
20.    Youngstown St.                162
21t.   Abilene Christian              140
21t.   West Georgia                   140
23.    Presbyterian                     130
24.    Lamar                               111
25.    Harvard                               64
 
Full Stats Perform FCS Top 25 (Week 6) with Total Points Received
 
1.      North Dakota St. (54)    1,398
2.      South Dakota St. (1)     1,340
3.      Tarleton St. (1)              1,268
4.      Montana                        1,221
5.      Montana St.                   1,207
6.      UC Davis                       1,036
7.      Lehigh                            1,000
8.      Southern Illinois                968
9.      Illinois St.                          899
10.    Tennessee Tech              897
11.    Idaho                                 779
12.    Monmouth                       768
13.    North Dakota                    764
14.    Northern Arizona              529
15.    Jackson St.                       491
16.    Austin Peay                      473
17.    Rhode Island                    465
18.    Villanova                           389
19.    Abilene Christian              385
20.    Lamar                               333
21.    West Georgia                   299
22.    Harvard                             280
23.    South Dakota                   233
24.    Presbyterian                     228
25.    Mercer                              184