Final Score
#18/20 Monmouth (2-1) – 35
Charlotte (1-2) – 42
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Monmouth went toe-to-toe with FBS opponent Charlotte on Saturday night, trading scores in a high-octane battle before falling 42-35 at Jerry Richardson Stadium. The Hawks (2-1) matched the 49ers drive for drive much of the evening, putting together a spirited effort that came down to the final possession.
 
Monmouth struck first in the first quarter on running back Elijah Jennings first career rushing touchdown from one yard out, taking a 7-0 advantage into the second frame. The 7-play, 40-yard Monmouth touchdown came off the back of a Jaeden 38-yard fumble recovery on an errant pitch by the Charlotte quarterback, Conner Harrell.
 
The offenses started to fire late in the second quarter, but before that Monmouth linebacker Charlie forced a fumble and it was recovered by Brendan Bigos on a fourth-and-short run by Charlotte to start the second quarter. The 49ers evened the score at seven with 1:52 remaining in the half, and then the Hawks marched 75 yards in six plays, capped by a Maxwell James 15-yard touchdown reception, to go back in front.

The 49ers' ensuing drive was ended on an interception by Ayden Martin in the endzone, the first of his career and third first half turnover forced by the Monmouth defense, cementing the seven-point lead for the Hawks at the break.
 
Charlotte's offense was firing on all cylinders in the second half, scoring touchdowns on all five possessions. Monmouth went score-for-score, except for a key turnover on downs in the third quarter.
 
Quarterback Derek Robertson, who finished with 410 passing yards and four passing scores, connected with his group of weapons for three touchdowns in the second half. Josh Derry bookended the half with touchdowns, accounting for scores from 29 yards and four yards out, respectively. Derry's four-yard score and second of the day came on a fourth-and-goal to tie the game at 35 with 3:19 remaining in regulation. Derry now has six touchdown receptions in his last six quarters of play, besting his total from all of 2024.
 
Charlotte answered the Monmouth score with a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive which ended on a Harrell rushing score, leaving the Hawks offense with 1:30 remaining and no timeouts. Robertson and the Hawks were able to convert one first down on their final drive but ultimately stalled out sealing the 49ers first victory of 2025.
 
Rodney Nelson had 76 all-purpose yards (45 rushing, 31 receiving) and accounted for the Hawks' other touchdown on the evening – an eight-yard catch where he went into the endzone uncontested to cap a four-play, 75-yard drive in 1:20 od possession time early in the fourth quarter.
 
Defensively, safety Deuce Lee led the Hawks with 11 tackles, while Ryan Russo, Sasso, and Martin each made a tackle for loss. Lamont Lester Jr. recorded a sack on the night, as well, his third of the season.
 
Quotes
"I'm very happy with how our kids played, we competed and played at a high level for the entire football game. Unfortunately, we gave up a few scores in the second half which we did not in the first half, and that resulted in us going back and forth with them. We had a couple key plays that didn't convert our way, and in the end, that was the story of the game – but very proud of how our kids competed." – Head Coach Kevin Callahan
 
Notes
- This was the first matchup between the Hawks and 49ers.
- Derek Robertson has thrown for over 400 yards in all three games to start the season.
- Robertson has thrown for 350+ yards in each of his last five games dating back to last season.
- Elijah Jennings scored his first career rushing touchdown.
- Josh Derry has six touchdown receptions in his last six quarters of play.
- Maxwell James enjoyed a nice homecoming to Charlotte, catching six passes for 49 yards and a score.
- Lamont Lester now has 3.0 sacks this season.
- Ayden Martin notched his first career interception.
- Nine different receivers caught a pass.
- Luke Schabel punted three times for an average on 43.0 yards.
- Hudson Fiene went a perfect 5-of-5 on extra points.
 
Numbers Crunch
- The 49ers had more first downs, 29-28.
- Both teams ran 72 plays on offense.
- Charlotte had more total yards, 563-458.
- Charlotte had more time of possession, 33:08 – 26:52.
- MU was 5-of-12 on third down and 1-of-4 on fourth down.
- The 49ers went 8-of-12 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down.
- Monmouth was a perfect 4-of-4 on redzone chances, while Charlotte went 5-of-6.
- The Hawks tallied one sack for four yards, while Charlotte had four sacks for 38 yards.
- The 49ers committed 11 penalties for 103 yards, while the Hawks had six fouls for 65 yards.
 
Up Next
The Hawks prepare for their first home game at Kessler Stadium this season as they welcome nationally ranked Villanova on Saturday, September 20. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege and NBC Sports Philadelphia at 1 p.m.