2026 Monmouth Football Gameday Preview: Game Ten
 
No. 14/15 Monmouth Hawks (7-2, 6-0 CAA) vs. North Carolina A&T (4-5, 3-2 CAA)
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 12:00 p.m.
Kevin Callahan Field at Kessler Stadium, West Long Branch, N.J.
 
Please find attached PDF labeled 'Monmouth/N.C. A&T/CAA Notes' for full notes.
 
Watch
Live: FloCollege, Prime Video, NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Tape Delay: SNY
Play-by-Play: Eddy Occhipinti
Analyst: Brandon London & Miles Austin
Sideline: Jack Barteck
 
Ticket & Parking Information
Click HERE to buy tickets and parking

Game Promotions
Community Day, Youth Day & Beer Garden (167983)

A&T Visits West Long Branch for the First Time
Monmouth hosts N.C. A&T for the first time in program history Saturday, with the Hawks holding a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series. Monmouth rolled to a 63-19 win in Greensboro last season, as Frankie Weaver threw for a career-high 428 yards and six touchdowns to earn FCS National Freshman of the Week honors.
 
Hawks in the Driver's Seat
Monmouth enters the weekend 6-0 in CAA play and alone atop the conference standings, with a chance to clinch at least a share of the league title with a win and favorable results elsewhere. Head Coach Jeff Gallo challenged his team this week, asking, "We have the car, how are we going to drive it?"
 
A Win Would ...
- Mark the eighth season in program history reaching the eight-win mark.
- Push the Hawks to 7-0 in CAA games, clinching at least a share of their first CAA title, and 4-0 at home this season.
- Extend the Hawks' overall winning streak to seven games.

The Coaching Matchup
Jeff Gallo
1^st Season / 1^st at Monmouth / 7-2 / 6-0 in-conference
 
Shawn Gibbs
5^th Season / 2^nd at N.C. A&T / 27-24 / 6-15 (5-8 CAA) at N.C. A&T
 
All-Time Series
Series Record: Monmouth, 2-0
at Monmouth: n/a
at N.C. A&T: Monmouth, 2-0
Most Monmouth points: 63, 11/15/25
Most N.C. A&T points: 19, 11/15/25
Most combined points: 83, 11/15/25
Biggest Monmouth win: 44, 11/15/25
Current streak: Monmouth, W2
 
100th Home Win
Monmouth's 34-21 victory over Bryant marked the 100th home win in program history, moving the Hawks to 100-66 all-time at home. The milestone win also secured the program's 20th winning home season, with Monmouth now 3-0 at Kevin Callahan Field at Kessler Stadium in 2026.
 
Ground Game Haunts Bryant
Monmouth powered its way to a 34-21 win over Bryant with 319 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Elijah Jennings rushed for 175 yards and two scores on 24 carries, while Kenny Smith Jr. added 157 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts. It marked the first time since Oct. 21, 2017, that two Hawks rushed for at least 150 yards in the same game, and Monmouth has now averaged more than 300 rushing yards over a three-game stretch for the first time since at least 1998.
 
A Share Within Reach
Monmouth enters Saturday unbeaten in CAA play at 6-0, with Campbell and UAlbany both sitting at 4-1. A win over North Carolina A&T would move the Hawks to 7-0 in conference play and guarantee at least a share of the CAA title, with only one league game remaining on the schedule, Nov. 21 at Campbell. Monmouth could also clinch the outright championship this weekend with a win and favorable results elsewhere in the conference.
 
A Unique Offensive Balance
Monmouth is the only FCS team with two players over 500 rushing yards and two players over 500 receiving yards. Kenny Smith Jr. (910) and Elijah Jennings (821) lead the ground game - and rank second and third in the conference, respectively - while Tra Neal (630) and Gavin Nelson (525) have each surpassed 500 receiving yards through nine games. The four players give the Hawks a balanced attack that can produce consistently on the ground and through the air.
 
Rushing to the Top
Monmouth ranks 15th nationally and first in the CAA with 204.3 rushing yards per game. The Hawks are on pace for their third season averaging at least 200 yards on the ground since 2006, with the program record of 228.5 yards per game set in 2022. Monmouth's overall offense averages 424.2 yards per game, ranking second in the CAA and 20th in FCS. In conference games alone, the Hawks lead the CAA with 37.5 points per game.
 
507 Snaps Between Sacks
Monmouth went 507 offensive snaps between sacks allowed, a stretch that began with the first play from scrimmage at Western Michigan and ended on the final play of the first half against Bryant. Frankie Weaver was sacked again in the second half, giving the Hawks four sacks allowed through nine games, tied for the fewest in the FCS. The offensive line continues to provide strong protection, while the defense has recorded 23 sacks of its own this season, ranking 15th in the FCS.
 
Sholder Heating Up
Sky Sholder has been perfect on field goal attempts at Kessler Stadium this season, converting all five of his tries at home. He has also made all 38 of his extra-point attempts in 2026, while his 40-yard field goal against Towson stands as the longest by a Hawk since Michael Calton Jr.'s game-winner at FIU in 2024.
 
Third Down and Fourth Down
Monmouth continues to rank among the nation's most efficient teams on third down, converting 65-of-127 attempts (51.2%) through nine games, good for fourth in the FCS. The Hawks have also converted 14 fourth-down attempts, tied for the fourth-most in the country, while converting 14-of-26 opportunities overall.
 
First Downs for Days
Monmouth is one of five FCS teams with at least two games of 30 or more first downs this season. The Hawks recorded 31 first downs in their win at Dartmouth and 30 in the victory at Hampton, showcasing the offense's ability to sustain drives and control possession.
 
Ranked and Rolling
Monmouth climbed to No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 15 in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 following its 34-21 win over Bryant. The Hawks are the highest-ranked team in the CAA and have now been ranked inside the top 15 of both national polls in 13 different weeks in program history. Monmouth also owns a 7-1 record against FCS opponents and remains the only undefeated team in CAA play.
 
Defense Makes Its Mark
Monmouth's defense added another strong performance against Bryant, holding the Bulldogs to 297 total yards and recording two sacks and two fourth-down stops. Ryan Russo delivered the first multi-sack game of his Monmouth career, while Omar Ibrahim, on the first play of the second half, recorded his first interception as a Hawk. The defense has now totaled 23 sacks through nine games.
 
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