2026 Monmouth Football Gameday Preview: Game One
 
No. 23/23 Monmouth (0-0, 0-0 CAA) at No. 15/14 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Saturday, August 29, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. EDT / 6:00 p.m. CDT
Overall Field at Tucker Stadium, Cookeville, Tenn.
 
Please find attached PDF labeled Monmouth Notes for full notes.
 
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Play-by-Play: Jack Barteck
Analyst: Bob Lampinen

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Top-25 Matchup to Begin 2026
Monmouth opens the 2026 season in a Top-25 matchup at No. 15/14 Tennessee Tech, marking the first meeting between the programs. The Hawks are 8-24 all-time against ranked opponents and have won their last three, while entering the season ranked No. 23/22. Tennessee Tech advanced to the FCS Playoffs in 2025. The Golden Eagles debut a newly renovated Tucker Stadium on Saturday.
 
A New Era
Jeff Gallo makes his head coaching debut Saturday, becoming the second head coach in Monmouth Football history. Gallo, entering his 22nd season on the Monmouth sidelines, and the Hawks seek the 198th win in program history.
 
A Win Would ...
Give Monmouth its second straight win in a season opener.
Be Monmouth's 10th win all-time in a season opener (9-24).
Be Head Coach Jeff Gallo's first career victory.

The Coaching Matchup
Jeff Gallo
1^st Season / 0-0 / 0-0 in-conference
 
Bobby Wilder
3^rd Season at TTU / 18-7 / 14-2
14^th Season overall / 95-63 / 46-34
 
All-Time Series
Series Record: First Meeting
at Monmouth: n/a
at Tennessee Tech: n/a
Most Monmouth points: n/a
Most Tennessee Tech points: n/a
Most combined points: n/a
Biggest Monmouth win: n/a
Current streak: n/a
 
First Meeting: Monmouth vs. Tennessee Tech
Monmouth and Tennessee Tech will meet for the first time in football Saturday, bringing together two of the FCS' top programs from a year ago. The Golden Eagles went 11-2 in 2025, won the OVC-Big South and advanced to the FCS Playoffs, while the Hawks finished 9-3 and ranked in both national polls. Tennessee Tech enters ranked No. 15/14, while Monmouth is No. 23/22.
 
A New Era Begins with Gallo
Jeff Gallo takes the reins for his first game as Monmouth's head coach, marking the first time someone other than Kevin Callahan will lead the Hawks into battle. Gallo has spent the previous 21 seasons on the Monmouth sideline, first as a player from 2000-03 before joining Callahan's staff in 2005. During his time as offensive coordinator, Gallo helped produce four straight CAA Offensive Players of the Year from 2022-25 and 23 All-CAA selections since Monmouth joined the league in 2022.
 
Replacing Rodney & Company
The Hawks must replace 85 percent of their 2,114 rushing yards from 2025, with Rodney Nelson accounting for the vast majority of the lost production after transferring to Miami (Ohio). Monmouth will turn to a pair of homegrown backs in Elijah Jennings and Kenny Smith Jr., with Union Beach, NJ native Nazir Treadwell providing a physical option in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Through the air, 71 percent of last year's receiving yards departed via graduation or transfer, putting added emphasis on returners Gavin Nelson and Tra Neal. Nelson averaged 17.1 yards per catch with 514 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, while Neal has found the end zone seven times in each of the last two seasons.
 
A Smooth QB Transition
While the Hawks lose record-setting quarterback Derek Robertson, the position has already seen meaningful experience from his successor. Frankie Weaver stepped into the starting role for five games in 2025 and finished 103-of-156 for 1,355 yards, 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. His 66 percent completion rate and six-touchdown, 428-yard performance at North Carolina A&T provided a glimpse of what the redshirt sophomore can bring to the offense in 2026.
 
The Offense Has a Standard to Meet
Monmouth enters 2026 looking to follow up on the nation's No. 1 total offense in 2025. The Hawks averaged 498.7 yards per game, including 322.5 through the air and 176.2 on the ground, while their 40.0 points per game ranked fifth nationally and first in the CAA. Gallo has been at the center of that production, with his offense ranking among the FCS' top 12 in total offense in six of his seven seasons as offensive coordinator.
 
Defense on the Rise
Monmouth's defense took a significant step forward in 2025, recording 31 sacks and allowing 5.7 fewer points per game than the previous season. While the Hawks return just 10.5 of last year's 31 sacks, the core of the unit remains intact, led by Preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Jaeden Jones, who recorded 118 tackles in 2025 - the third-highest single-season total in program history. Linebackers Ryan Russo, Spencer Kishbaugh and Charlie Sasso also return after combining for 168 tackles, while Hunter Watson, Donovan Dyson and Jahide Lesaine Jr. give the defensive front a mix of returning production and FBS transfer talent.
 
A New Wave of Transfers
Monmouth added 17 transfers to its 2026 roster, including seven from the FBS, as the Hawks look to replace key departures while adding experience throughout the roster. Among the additions are wide receiver Christian Harrison from Lackawanna, Wall, NJ native and Penn transfer Jake Davis, Delaware safety Hasson Manning Jr. and 6-foot-7 tight end Greg Genross, who arrives from West Virginia. The Hawks also added FBS defensive help in Donovan Dyson from UMass and Jahide Lesaine Jr. from Syracuse.
 
In Loving Memory of Louis DiRienzo Jr.
The 2026 season is being played in memory of defensive coordinator Louis DiRienzo Jr., who passed away unexpectedly in June. DiRienzo was promoted to defensive coordinator in January after helping transform the Monmouth defense in his first season with the program, and he coached the Hawks through spring practice in his new role. A devoted father, husband and coach, DiRienzo's presence will continue to be honored throughout the season, including helmet stickers bearing his initials and the team's CGT mantra: Connection. Growth. Toughness.
 
Ranked & Ready
The Hawks enter the season ranked in both major FCS preseason polls for the second straight year, marking a new level of consistency for the program. Monmouth is one of just two CAA teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, joining Rhode Island, which sits No. 8/7 nationally. The Hawks also enter 2026 with an 8-24 all-time record against ranked opponents, but have won their last three against ranked teams and went 9-0 in 2025 when ranked.
 
The CAA is Represented
Monmouth and Rhode Island are the only two CAA programs appearing in the national preseason Top 25, with the Rams ranked No. 8 by the AFCA and No. 7 by STATS Perform. Elon, New Hampshire and Stony Brook also received votes in the AFCA poll, while Elon and New Hampshire received votes in the STATS Perform poll. The Hawks were picked second in the CAA preseason poll behind Rhode Island.
 
A Busy Road Slate
The Hawks will spend plenty of time on the road in 2026, playing seven road games compared to five at home. Monmouth will travel more than 6,100 miles throughout the season, including three trips by air to Tennessee Tech, Western Michigan and Campbell. Four of the Hawks' first five games are on the road, with the 684-mile trip to Tennessee Tech serving as the longest single road journey of the season.
 
The Next Man Up on Defense
The Hawks will lean on a number of players poised for larger roles in 2026. Hunter Watson enters his second season after recording 4.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman, while Christian Palmer Jr. steps into a leading role in the secondary alongside a young group that includes 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman Elijah Mathis and Richmond transfer Mir Haskett. With Jones anchoring the unit and FBS transfers adding depth, Monmouth expects its defense to continue its upward trajectory.
 
Toys at Tight End
Marcus Middleton enters 2026 as one of the CAA's premier returning tight ends earning Preseason Phil Steele Fourth Team All-America and All-CAA recognition. He is joined by intriguing options in the transfer-heavy tight end room, including 6-foot-7 graduate student Greg Genross, who previously played at West Virginia. Burke Mickelsen is a proven product from UT-Martin, while Shane Garrett, who grew up only a few miles down the road, is back for his redshirt-junior season. A staple of the Hawks dynamic rushing attack over the past decade, expect to see plenty of 12 personnel from the Hawks again in 2026. Dennis Long will coach the tight ends for the first time in 2026.
 
The Hawks are Traveling
Saturday's trip to Cookeville is one of three flights Monmouth will make during the 2026 season. The Hawks will also fly to Western Michigan and Campbell, while their seven-game road slate includes trips to UAlbany, Dartmouth, New Hampshire and Hampton that will total up to over 6,100 miles of travel.
 
New Numbers, Same Hawks
Several familiar faces will sport new numbers in 2026, including a few of the team's biggest returning stars. Gavin Nelson moves from No. 2 to No. 0, Ryan Russo from No. 11 to No. 1, Jaeden Jones from No. 30 to No. 2, Elijah Jennings from No. 29 to No. 3 and Hunter Watson from No. 41 to No. 4. Other notable changes include Kenny Smith Jr. to No. 6, JJ Lewis to No. 8, Luke Schabel to No. 9, Keshawn Mister to No. 10 and Christian Palmer Jr. to No. 22.
 
National Recognition for Jaeden Jones
Jaeden Jones enters 2026 with significant national recognition, landing on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List and earning Preseason All-America honors from both Stats Perform and Phil Steele. Jones was named a Stats Perform Second Team All-American and a Phil Steele First Team All-American at safety. He was also selected as the CAA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Hawks Well Represented on All-CAA Teams
Monmouth placed three players on the 2026 Preseason All-CAA Team, with WR Gavin Nelson, TE Marcus Middleton and DB/Specialist Jaeden Jones. Tra Neal, Kevin Shriner and Luke Schabel also received additional recognition as Honorable Mentions in their respective positions.
 
A Pair of All-Americans
Jones and Middleton give Monmouth two players recognized on the 2026 Phil Steele FCS Preseason All-America Teams. Jones earned First Team honors after leading the Hawks with 118 tackles in 2025, while Middleton was selected to the Fourth Team and is primed for a breakout season in his first year as the Hawks' starter.
 
Hawks Picked Second in CAA
Monmouth was picked to finish second in the 2026 CAA Football Preseason Poll, earning 119 points in voting conducted by the league's head coaches. The Hawks trail only Rhode Island, which received 12 first-place votes and 144 points, while Elon sits just four points behind Monmouth in third with 115. It marks the second straight season Monmouth has been picked among the CAA's top two.