RICHMOND, Va. – Monmouth University Football saw two student-athletes earn Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) weekly awards, as junior wide receiver Josh Derry earned the league's Offensive Player of the Week honor and freshman defensive back Chris Palmer Jr. was named the Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday morning.
 
Derry turned in another explosive performance with eight catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns in No. 21 Monmouth's 51-33 victory over No. 11 Villanova. In front of a sold-out Kessler Stadium, he took the second play from scrimmage 75 yards for his longest score of the season, then added a 16-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. The Maryland native has topped 100 receiving yards in each of the first four games, averaging 133.5 per contest, and leads the FCS with eight receiving touchdowns.
 
Chris Palmer Jr. made the most of his first extended action of 2025, playing a key role in slowing Villanova's passing attack during the home-opening win. The Philadelphia product posted four tackles, a pass breakup and a pivotal red-zone fumble recovery that helped Monmouth secure its fourth straight victory over the Wildcats.
 
Derry, Palmer Jr. and the Hawks enter their bye week with a 3-1 overall record and 1-0 in CAA play. Monmouth returns to play versus Delaware State on Saturday, October 4. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege at 1 p.m.