Monmouth University Athletics

Final Score
Monmouth (2-2, 2-0 CAA) – 28
UAlbany (2-2, 1-1 CAA) – 20
 
ALBANY, N.Y. – Ryan Russo returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the game, Tra Neal hauled in a 60-yard touchdown and Monmouth's defense made four straight stops from the 3-yard line late in the fourth quarter as the Hawks defeated UAlbany 28-20 Saturday at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.
 
The win moved Monmouth to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in Coastal Athletic Association play, while UAlbany fell to 2-2, 1-1. It was Monmouth's first victory at UAlbany since 2006 and just the second time the Hawks have defeated the Great Danes since joining the CAA in 2022.
 
"This was for all of our guys," Monmouth head coach Jeff Gallo said. "Monmouth has always played Albany since I can remember. It was a big game, and our guys knew that. This is for our alumni, for the guys who played last year, who had their last game end poorly, and for these guys coming up here and winning in a tough environment."
 
In 2025, the Great Danes, with just one victory on the year, entered the final regular season contest and stunned the No. 12 Hawks, 24-31, in West Long Branch.
 
Russo's interception came after UAlbany's Rahshan La Mons was stopped for no gain on the opening play. Russo stepped in front of Kai Colón's second-down pass at the UAlbany 30 and raced untouched to the end zone for Monmouth's first score. Jaeden Jones added his second career interception late in the second quarter, ending a nine-play UAlbany drive at the Monmouth 2.
 

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Monmouth's offense then struck quickly. Gavin Nelson caught a 46-yard touchdown from Frankie Weaver with 4:43 left in the first quarter before Neal broke free for a 60-yard touchdown on the Hawks' next possession. Weaver finished 11-of-15 for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while Neal established a new career high with 138 receiving yards on five catches. Nelson added two catches for 51 yards.
 
"We had to make our shots count," Gallo said. "We made our first two shots count, which was good. Good routes, good ball placement, speed. Those three things, when they work well, can equal explosive plays."
 
UAlbany cut the deficit to 14-7 early in the second quarter, but Monmouth answered immediately when Weaver found Neal for the 60-yard score. Nazir Treadwell added a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to put the Hawks ahead 28-7. Kenny Smith Jr. led Monmouth's ground game with a career-high 86 yards on 17 carries, while Elijah Jennings added 70 yards on 14 carries.
 
The Great Danes rallied behind La Mons, who rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns, but Monmouth's defense ultimately held. UAlbany drove 85 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-20 with 5:06 remaining, then intercepted Weaver and returned the ball to the Monmouth 3 with 4:00 remaining in regulation.
 
The Hawks defense responded with four consecutive stops. After a 1-yard run, a 2-yard rush and an incomplete pass, Hunter Watson dropped Colón for a 4-yard loss on fourth down, ending the threat at the Monmouth 6. Monmouth then ran out the final 2:25 to secure the all-around team victory, including a clutch 14-yard run by Smith on third-and-9.
 
"It's really 11 guys, in each of their minds, deciding they're going to do the job at a high level," Gallo said. "It's just 11 guys playing as one."
 

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Monmouth finished with four sacks and a season-high eight tackles for loss. JJ Lewis and Mounir Keshen each recorded the first sack of their respective Monmouth careers, while Russo and Jones finished with eight tackles apiece.
 
"We're 2-0 in conference; we're in the spot we want to be in. We have to keep getting better," Gallo said. "But for the program, the alumni, for the guys last year, for our team this year – it was all of those things. I'm very happy and proud of that."

Monmouth continues their road trip at Dartmouth next week at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ and Monmouth Digital Network.

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Notes
- Monmouth improves to 7-14 all-time versus UAlbany.
- The Hawks defeat the Great Danes for the second time as CAA foes and first time in Albany since 2006.
- Monmouth falls to 1-8 all-time against FBS opponents.
- Ryan Russo's pick-six on the second play of the game marked Monmouth's first pick-six since Russo recorded one last season against Stony Brook.
- Jaeden Jones secured his second career interception.
- Gavin Nelson's 46-yard touchdown and Tra Neal's 60-yard touchdown are now Monmouth's two longest plays from scrimmage this season.
- JJ Lewis tied his career high with four total tackles and recorded his first sack as a Hawk.
- Mounir Keshen recorded 1.5 sacks, the first sacks of his career.
- Monmouth's eight tackles for loss marked a season high.
- Monmouth finished with four sacks, while UAlbany did not record a sack.
- Tra Neal established a new career high with 138 receiving yards.
- Kenny Smith Jr. established a new career high with 86 rushing yards.
- Nazir Treadwell has recorded a rushing touchdown in back-to-back games.
- The victory marked Jeff Gallo's first road win as a head coach.
 
Numbers Crunch
- UAlbany had more first downs, 22-14.
- UAlbany ran more offensive plays, 69-53.
- The Hawks outgained the Great Danes, 350-321.
- UAlbany had more time of possession, 35:39-24:21.
- MU was 8-of-14 on third down and 1-of-1 on fourth down.
- UAlbany went 5-of-13 on third down and 3-of-4 on fourth down.
- Monmouth was 1-of-1 on redzone chances, and UAlbany went 2-of-4.
- Monmouth won the sack battle, 4-0. The Hawks sacked the Great Danes for a total of 25 yards.
- There was a total of six penalties for 50 yards – MU had four for 25, while UAlbany had two for 25.