2026 Monmouth Football Gameday Preview: Game Eleven
 
No. 14/14 Monmouth Hawks (8-2, 7-0 CAA) vs. Merrimack Warriors (4-6, Independent)
Saturday, November 14, 2026 – 12:00 p.m.
Kevin Callahan Field at Kessler Stadium, West Long Branch, N.J.
 
Please find attached PDF labeled 'Monmouth/Merrimack/CAA Notes' for full notes.
 
Watch
Live: FloCollege, NBC Sports Boston & NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Tape Delay: SNY & WWAX
Play-by-Play: Matt Harmon
Analyst: Joe Vasile
Sideline: Renee Washington
 
Ticket & Parking Information
Click HERE to buy tickets and parking

Game Promotions
Heroes Day, Senior Day & Beer Garden (167989)

Senior Day vs. Merrimack
Monmouth welcomes Merrimack for the first time in program history Saturday, closing its 2026 home schedule on Senior Day. The Hawks will honor 17 student-athletes in a pregame ceremony, and a victory giving Monmouth a 5-0 home record and its sixth undefeated home season in program history.
 
Jennings & Smith Jr. Closing in on 1,000 Each
Elijah Jennings and Kenny Smith Jr. are closing in on becoming just the second running back duo in Monmouth history to rush for 1,000 yards each in the same season. Jennings has 936 yards on 176 carries, while Smith Jr. has 969 on 177 attempts. The last Hawk duo to accomplish the feat was Julian Hayes and KB Asante in 2013.
 
A Win Would ...
- Mark the sixth season in program history reaching the nine-win mark.
- Clinch a perfect 5-0 regular season at home, marking the program's sixth season going undefeated in home games.
- Extend the Hawks' overall winning streak to eight games.

The Coaching Matchup
Jeff Gallo
1^st Season / 1^st as Monmouth Head Coach / 8-2 (7-0 CAA) record
 
Mike Genneti
3^rd Season / 3^rd as Merrimack Head Coach / 13-20 record
 
All-Time Series
Series Record: First Meeting
at Monmouth: n/a
at Merrimack: n/a
Most Monmouth points: n/a
Most Merrimack points: n/a
Most combined points: n/a
Biggest Monmouth win: n/a
Current streak: n/a
 
What's at Stake
Monmouth clinched at least a share of its first CAA regular-season championship with last Saturday's 21-17 win over North Carolina A&T, giving the program its eighth conference title overall. The Hawks can secure the outright championship and the CAA's automatic FCS Playoff bid if Campbell falls at Elon this weekend; otherwise, the Nov. 21 matchup in Buies Creek will provide another opportunity to claim the outright crown. An outright title would be Monmouth's fourth in program history and send the Hawks to their fourth FCS Playoff appearance.
 
A Win for Lou D.
Monmouth clinched its share of the CAA title with a 21-17 victory over North Carolina A&T in a game dedicated to former defensive coordinator Louis DiRienzo Jr. The Hawks jumped out to a 14-0 lead before the Aggies scored 17 unanswered points, but Frankie Weaver connected with Christian Harrison for a 47-yard touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in the first half to put Monmouth back in front. The defense then pitched a second-half shutout, highlighted by Mir Haskett forcing a fumble at the Monmouth 1-yard line that Donovan Fey recovered with 9:02 remaining. It marked the second time this season Monmouth has held an opponent scoreless for an entire half, following the first half at New Hampshire. Jaeden Jones credited the halftime message of "do it for Louie D.," while Charlie Sasso said DiRienzo "prided himself on execution and communication."
 
Two 1,000-Yard Rushers Within Reach
Kenny Smith Jr. and Elijah Jennings have combined for 1,905 of Monmouth's 2,008 rushing yards this season, accounting for nearly 95 percent of the team's ground production. Smith Jr. has 969 yards on 177 carries and needs just 31 more to reach 1,000, while Jennings has 936 yards on 176 attempts and is 64 yards away. If both reach the mark, they would become just the second running back duo in Monmouth history to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season, joining Julian Hayes and KB Asante in 2013. The last CAA duo to accomplish the feat was Villanova's in 2014, and it has happened 43 times in FCS history.
 
Tra Neal: A Passing Touchdown Machine
Wide receiver Tra Neal has completed all three of his career pass attempts, with each going for a touchdown. His latest came on a four-yard scoring pass to Frankie Weaver against North Carolina A&T, making Weaver the first Monmouth quarterback to catch a touchdown pass since Brandon Hill in 2014. Neal is just the second non-quarterback in program history, joining Lavon Chaney, to throw at least three career touchdown passes. Monmouth is 3-0 in games in which Neal has thrown a touchdown pass.
 
Can't Sack the Hawks
Monmouth has allowed just four sacks through 10 games, ranking first in the FCS in sacks allowed. The Hawks went 507 offensive snaps between sacks allowed earlier this season, a stretch that ended against Bryant, but did not give up a sack in last week's win over North Carolina A&T. Monmouth is one of only two FCS teams ranked inside the top 11 nationally in both sacks allowed and sacks recorded, ranking first and 11th, respectively. Defensively, Jahide Lesaine Jr. and Mounir Keshen each have 4.5 sacks, while JJ Lewis has four, with all three ranking among the CAA's top 10.
 
Hawks Honor Heroes
Monmouth will wear white helmets featuring a red, white and blue Monmouth "M" decal incorporating the American flag for Saturday's Heroes Day game. The special look recognizes veterans and community heroes as the Hawks close their home schedule.
 
Ranked and Rolling
Monmouth remains at No. 14 in both the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and STATS Perform FCS Top 25 following its 21-17 victory over North Carolina A&T. The Hawks are the highest-ranked team in the CAA, own an 8-1 record against FCS opponents and have now been ranked inside the top 15 of both national polls in 14 different weeks in program history. Monmouth's seven-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in the FCS, trailing only top-ranked Tarleton State.
 
Third Down and Fourth Down
Monmouth continues to rank among the nation's most efficient teams on third down, converting 72-of-144 attempts for a 50.0% success rate, tied for third in the FCS. The Hawks have also converted 15-of-27 fourth-down opportunities, leading the CAA and ranking tied for fourth nationally in total conversions; Monmouth is one of just seven FCS teams with at least 15 fourth-down conversions. Luke Schabel also set a career high with eight punts against North Carolina A&T.
 
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