Monmouth University Athletics

Final Score
Western Michigan (1-1, 0-0 MAC) – 49
Monmouth (1-2, 1-0 CAA) – 14
 
KALAMAZOO, MICH. – Western Michigan scored 21 points in the third quarter to pull away from Monmouth, 49-14, Saturday night at Stafford-Smith Field at Waldo Stadium in front of a stadium-record crowd of 24,605 for the Hawks.
 
Monmouth (1-2) matched or exceeded the Broncos in several key statistical categories, outgaining Western Michigan 431-414 while holding advantages in both rushing yards, 158-148, and passing yards, 273-266. The Hawks, however, were hurt by three fumbles, two of which were lost, while Western Michigan converted all five of their redzone opportunities into touchdowns.
 
"We did some things well. We moved the ball well, we got stops, but it's putting it all together," Monmouth head coach Jeff Gallo said. "That's a good team, but we're out here trying to compete to win and we can play better. We'll keep pushing to play better."
 
Western Michigan (1-1) opened the scoring on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Broc Lowry to Baylin Brooks with 4:36 remaining in the first quarter after the Hawks defense forced a three-and-out on WMU's first drive of the contest. The Broncos added touchdown passes from Lowry to Egypt Nelson and Brooks in the second quarter before Jalen Buckley scored from one yard out with 4:47 left in the half to give the hosts a 21-0 lead.
 
Monmouth threatened late in the second quarter, driving 69 yards to the Western Michigan 6-yard line before a fumble ended the possession. The Hawks also reached the Broncos' 30-yard line on their first drive of the game but turned the ball over on downs.
 
Western Michigan opened the second half with a 68-yard touchdown drive, capped by an 11-yard Buckley run, before Monmouth answered with its first score of the night. Frankie Weaver completed all three of his passes to Tra Neal on the drive, including a 44-yard completion that marked the Hawks' longest play from scrimmage this season. Neal finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown reception, giving him his first career 100-yard receiving game and pushing him over 1,000 career receiving yards.
 
Weaver completed 28 of 46 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown, including a third-quarter performance in which he went 9-for-11 for 102 yards and a score. Gavin Nelson added seven receptions for 63 yards, while Kenny Smith Jr. totaled 102 all-purpose yards with 69 rushing yards and five catches for 33 yards.
 
Neal led Monmouth with seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Nazir Treadwell added his first touchdown in a Monmouth uniform on a one-yard run with 15 seconds remaining.
 
Jaeden Jones and Ryan Russo led the Hawks with 10 tackles apiece. Jones has now recorded double-digit tackles in all three games this season and sits at 34 total stops on the young season. Omar Ibrahim added two pass breakups, while true freshman Amori McNeil collected his first collegiate tackle for loss.

"I thought we did a good job trying to contain the quarterback and the running back," Gallo said. "And in the same half, they hit some big plays over our head, but we had guys there to contest. You have to keep competing for the ball in the air."
 
"We have to play complimentary football, meaning getting a stop and a score," Gallo said. "It's putting it all together. Through the course of the whole game. Not a quarter, not a half, not a drive. It's playing a full game as a team."
 
Monmouth returns to action Sept. 19 at UAlbany in a key CAA contest. The Hawks last traveled to the home of the Great Danes in 2023.
 
Notes
- Western Michigan is now 2-0 versus the Hawks.
- Monmouth falls to 1-8 all-time against FBS opponents.
- The 24,605 fans at Waldo Stadium made up the largest crowd the Hawks have ever played in front of.
- Tra Neal has gone over 1,000 receiving yards for his career and notched his first career 100-yard game.
- Neal's 44-yard catch in the third quarter was Monmouth's longest play from scrimmage this season.
- Nazir Treadwell with his first touchdown in a Monmouth uniform.
- Gavin Nelson had seven grabs and leads MU with 20 receptions in 2026. That's back-to-back games with 7+ catches, third time of his career.
- Kenny Smith Jr. added 33 receiving yards on five catches to go along with his 69 rushing yards for 102 all-purpose yards on the night.
- It was a very efficient third quarter for Weaver, going 9-of-11 with 102 yards and a TD through the air.
- Weaver threw 46 times tonight, the second-most in a single game for his career. It's the second time he's gone over 40 attempts in 2026 (42 at Tennessee Tech).
- Kendall Dorsey made his first career grab in the fourth quarter - a 17-yarder for a first down.
- Jaeden Jones and Ryan Russo both led the Hawks with 10 tackles each. Jones has had double-digit stops in all three games to start the year
- Omar Ibrahim was playing as the fourth captain for MU tonight and had both of the Hawks' pass breakups.
- True freshman Amori McNeil collected his first collegiate tackle for loss.
- Luke Schabel had two of his four punts on the night downed inside the 20.
 
Numbers Crunch
- Monmouth had more first downs, 27-24.
- Monmouth ran more offensive plays, 90-57.
- The Hawks outgained the Broncos, 431-414.
- Monmouth had more time of possession, 31:52-28:08.
- MU was 11-of-20 on third down and 1-of-5 on fourth down.
- WMU went 4-of-9 on third down and 1-of-1 on fourth down.
- Monmouth was 2-of-4 on redzone chances, and Western Michigan went 5-of-5.
- Both teams recorded just one sack each on the night.
- There was a total of 12 penalties for 102 yards – MU had four for 34, while WMU had eight for 68.

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