With Bye Week in the Books, Monmouth Focusing on Saturday's Opponent, Delaware State

WEST LONG BRANCH – After three straight night games on the road, including one against FBS foe, UNC-Charlotte, and an extremely physical game against CAA rival Villanova last week at home, the 3-1 Hawks – ranked No.12 in the most recent AFCA Top 25 - got a much-needed bye last week, giving them a chance to regroup and heal.

“It actually came earlier than it does in most seasons, but I think we were able to make the most of it,” Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan said of their bye week on Monday’s CAA Coaches Zoom call. “Because it was earlier in the season, what we tried to do was combine some good workdays, and then you have to mix in some recovery days as well. We’ve had four very physical games to start the season, and from that perspective, the bye came at a good time.

“I think the benefit for the entire team is that we were able to give some of our players who have played a lot of snaps some much-needed rest, but we were also able to take some time for development of our younger guys. I think it was good on both ends, and another benefit was that it gave us the opportunity to get a head start on our next opponent, Delaware State.”

Monmouth’s 3-1 record is its best start to a season since joining the Coastal Athletic Association in 2022 and best start overall since 2017, when it finished 9-3 as a member of the Big South Conference. Monmouth’s current No.12 ranking is the third highest in program history and the highest since the shortened 2021 spring season, when it was ranked No.10 and went 3-0 before losing a heartbreaker to No.4 Sam Houston State in the FCS playoffs first round. In 2019, the Hawks finished 9-3, ranked eleventh in the country, won the Big South Conference title, and beat Holy Cross in the first round of the FCS playoffs before falling to No.2-ranked James Madison in the second round.

“We’re happy with where we are at because we’ve played four games and we’ve given ourselves the opportunity to win every one of those games that we’ve been in,” said Callahan. “And as long as your players are doing that on a weekly basis, and as long as you’ve got a shot to win once it gets to the fourth quarter, then the players are doing the right things. So. I’m happy with that, and obviously, we got our first conference win a week ago, and that was coming off three consecutive road games, which was a tough grind for us. And that was three games on the road, all at night, and we weren’t getting back until Sunday morning. Now, after the bye week, we get some normalcy to the schedule.”

The Hawks' offense, led by All-American quarterback Derek Robertson, leads the country in most every offensive category, and they were rolling over opposing defenses heading into the bye. This is a veteran group that is in its second season of playing together, and it's not just the skill level they possess; it’s the familiarity with each other, the unselfishness, and camaraderie that drives them.

The way they were mowing down defenses, it was almost a shame that the bye week came when it did; they were clicking on all cylinders. However, there is no reason to think Robertson and company won’t pick up where they left off, and more than likely, be even more explosive having had two weeks to fine-tune any area that needed attention. That’s a scary scenario for upcoming CAA defenses to contend with.

Monmouth has had some prolific offenses in the past, but this season’s version might turn out to be not only one of the best in program history, but also one of the best in FCS history; it’s that good.

“I think through four weeks, only one third of the season, it’s got to be one of the best groups we’ve ever had here at Monmouth, certainly since we’ve been in the CAA, but even going back to the days before that” said Callahan when asked to rank this season’s offense with some of the other juggernaut offenses he’s coached here. “There’s explosiveness, there’s power, size, speed, intelligence, and because of that, we’re able to put up some good numbers.”

Defensively, it’s still a work in progress, but there are signs that the unit is starting to jell; the potential is there. They’ve had some long stretches where they’ve factored into the game positively, but other times they seem to disappear. If they can be more consistent with positive impact plays, it will go a long way in building confidence as they move forward.

“We’re becoming more consistent defensively, but yet we still have a ways to go,” said Callahan. “I think when we started the season, we were still trying to feel our way. We had a lot of new faces in the lineup, and now what you're seeing are glimpses of us playing really solid defense; we just need more of those glimpses, and I think that’s coming. They’re starting to gain a higher level of confidence, which I think will pay dividends as we get down the road here. I like the progress that we’re making.”

Callahan also stressed that tackling and communication are two areas that were addressed during the bye week.

Up next for the Hawks is another stern test; it never gets easy. Delaware State University comes to town this Saturday at Kessler Field with a running game that is ranked No.1 in the FCS, averaging 282.0 yards per game.

First-year head coach DeSean Jackson, I’m sure all you Giant fans remember that name for all the wrong reasons, has brought renewed optimism and a punishing run-first offense to a team that finished 1-11 a year ago and was picked to finish last in the MEAC this season. They’ve already shattered expectations with a 3-2 record while taking on Jackson's brashness and fearlessness, traits that made him a star with the Eagles.

Jackson incorporates a run-first offense with the intent of wearing down opposing defenses with its relentless attack. His offensive system is built to adapt on the fly. Much of Delaware State’s offense relies on run-pass option looks, providing the quarterback with flexibility based on the defensive alignment. On every play, they have two or three options depending on how the defense aligns. It’s up to the quarterback to make the right reads that make the offense go. And they have a good one in Sacramento State graduate transfer Kaiden Bennett. The elusive Bennett has rushed for 270 yards on 46 attempts with a team-leading seven rushing touchdowns. He’s passed for another 546 yards and three touchdowns, completing 53-of-97 passes.

Preseason second team All-MEAC running back Marquis Gill leads the team in rushing with 461 yards and three touchdowns on 79 attempts for a 5.8-yard average. Junior James Jones has added 329 yards on the ground and one score while averaging 10 yards per carry. Redshirt senior Jayden Jenkins has chipped in with 118 yards on 16 attempts (7.4 average).

Junior Kyree Benton leads the team in receiving with 201 yards on 14 catches, while first team MEAC Preseason selection NyhGee Lolley has 12 receptions for just 69 yards. Second team MEAC Preseason selection Isaiah Cook anchors the offensive line.

Second team 2025 MEAC Preseason pick, linebacker Brian Bates, heads up the defense. The DeMatha Catholic High School alum leads the Hornets with tackles (37), including 14 solo stops, and has added 1.5 TFL and 0.5 sacks.

The Hornets are averaging 280.2 yards rushing per game and 163.6 passing yards per game. They’re ranked 14th in the country in total offense with 451.2 yards per game, 12th in first downs with 111, and 24th in scoring (32.0).

As of now, Delaware State has to be the favorite for the Comeback Team of the Year award.

Monmouth’s defense has its work cut out for it.

“They’ve got two very big backs, a quarterback that keeps the ball a fair amount of the time, and they’ve got speed,” Callahan said of Delaware State. “And any time you have the combination of those three things, it makes it difficult. It’s not just one guy you can focus on. The quarterback is a very dynamic player and tough to bring down; he has legit speed. So, we’re going to have to really be on our game on the defensive side. We’re going to have to play sound, and we’re going to have to make sure we keep things in front of us because they can score at any time. They have 42 run or pass plays of over 15 yards this season: that’s a lot. If you can prevent them from getting chunk yardage, you have a shot at winning the game.”