2026 Monmouth Football Gameday Preview: Game Eight
 
No. 18/19 Monmouth (5-2, 4-0 CAA) at Hampton Pirates (1-6, 0-3 CAA)
Saturday, October 24, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, Va.
 
Please find attached PDF labeled 'Monmouth Notes/Hampton Notes/CAA Notes' for full notes.
 
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Hampton will be celebrating Homecoming this Saturday.

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Play-by-Play: Jack Barteck
 
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- Armstrong Stadium Information
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Hawks Rising in the Polls
Monmouth climbed to No. 18 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 19 in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 after a 42-21 road win over New Hampshire last Saturday. The victory was the Hawks' first in five meetings with the Wildcats, moving Monmouth to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in CAA play. The Hawks sit alone atop the conference standings.
 
Dominance on the Ground
Monmouth's offensive line and running backs controlled the game against UNH, piling up a season-high 326 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries. The total was the second-most rushing yards by an FCS team in a game this season.
 
A Win Would ...
- Give Monmouth its sixth all-time win in as many meetings with Hampton.
- Extend the Hawks' overall winning streak to five games.
- Make it six consecutive victories in games against FCS opponents.

The Coaching Matchup
Jeff Gallo
1^st Season / 5-2 / 4-0 in-conference
 
Van Malone
1^st Season at Hampton / 1-6 / 0-3 in-conference
 
All-Time Series
Series Record: Monmouth, 5-0
at Monmouth: Monmouth, 3-0
at Hampton: Monmouth, 2-0
Most Monmouth points: 61, 10/14/23
Most Hampton points: 28, 9/8/18
Most combined points: 84, 9/8/18
Biggest Monmouth win: 51, 10/14/23
Current streak: Monmouth, W5
 
One Year of Weaver
Frankie Weaver returns to Hampton one year after making his first career start against the Pirates on Oct. 25, 2025. Weaver completed 14-of-25 passes for 122 yards and an interception in Monmouth's 28-10 victory, and he has started every game since. Through 13 career appearances (12 starts), Weaver has completed 257-of-391 passes for 2,986 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
 
The New Hampshire Win in a Nutshell
Monmouth jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and never looked back in its 42-21 victory at New Hampshire. Frankie Weaver completed 16-of-25 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, while the Hawks generated five plays of at least 25 yards, including three through the air and two on the ground. One play in each category resulted in a touchdown as Monmouth earned its first victory over the Wildcats.
 
A Pair of 100-Yard Rushers
Kenny Smith Jr. and Elijah Jennings each set career highs in rushing yards against New Hampshire, combining for 301 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries. It marked the first time two Monmouth running backs reached 100 rushing yards in the same game since the Hawks faced Fordham in 2024. Smith Jr.'s performance earned him CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors.
 
Defense and Special Teams Set the Tone
Monmouth limited New Hampshire to 14 first downs and 295 total yards, holding the Wildcats below 150 yards through three quarters before late production in the fourth. The Hawks forced two turnovers, with Ryan Russo forcing a second-quarter fumble recovered by JJ Lewis and Jaeden Jones intercepting a pass in the third quarter. True freshman linebacker Jaylen Carter also blocked a punt on New Hampshire's second drive, setting up a short field for a Monmouth touchdown; it was the program's first blocked punt since 2021.
 
Monmouth Remains Elite on Third Down
Monmouth ranks third in the FCS and first in the CAA in offensive third-down conversion rate, moving the chains on 52-of-101 attempts for a 51.5% success rate through seven games. The Hawks also rank 10th nationally and first in the CAA with 170 total first downs. Against New Hampshire, Monmouth converted nine of 17 third-down opportunities, while the Wildcats managed just two conversions on 11 attempts.
 
No Sacks Allowed, Pressure Applied
Monmouth has allowed just two sacks through seven games, an average of 0.29 per contest that ranks first in the FCS. The Hawks have not allowed a sack since early in the Western Michigan game, continuing a stretch of strong pass protection from an offensive line that rotates seven players. Preseason All-CAA center Kevin Shriner has played all but two offensive snaps through seven games. Defensively, the Hawks have generated 17 sacks, averaging 2.43 per game; Monmouth ranks second in the CAA and 16th in the nation.
 
Jones Living Up to All-American Pedigree
Preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year Jaeden Jones continues to anchor the Monmouth defense, leading the Hawks with 66 tackles, including 33 solo stops, through seven games. The junior captain also has two interceptions this season, including one against New Hampshire, and has reached 207 career tackles. Jones entered the year with Stats Perform Second Team All-America and Phil Steele First Team All-America recognition. Jones was recently named a Phil Steele Midseason All-American.
 
A Balanced Running Attack
Elijah Jennings and Kenny Smith Jr. continue to pace Monmouth's rushing offense, with both backs surpassing 500 yards through seven games. Smith Jr. has rushed for 590 yards on 125 carries, while Jennings has totaled 567 yards on 118 attempts. Both rank among the CAA's top five rushers, keeping the possibility of two 1,000-yard rushers in play as the Hawks enter the second half of the regular season.
 
Offensive Leaders Through Seven Games
Frankie Weaver has thrown for 1,631 yards and 13 touchdowns through seven games, completing 154-of-235 passes. Tra Neal leads Monmouth with 549 receiving yards on 36 catches, while Gavin Nelson has 451 yards on 43 receptions; both receivers have four touchdowns. The pair has combined for 79 catches, 1,000 yards and eight scores this season.
 
Jones Living Up to All-American Pedigree
Preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year Jaeden Jones continues to lead the Monmouth defense, pacing the Hawks with 63 total tackles through six games. The junior captain has recorded 31 solo stops and reached 204 career tackles, continuing the production that earned him Stats Perform Second Team All-America and Phil Steele First Team All-America honors entering the season. He ranks second in the CAA and 9th in FCS with10.5 tackles per game.
 
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