Monmouth football took care of business against Villanova on Saturday, Sept. 20, as the FCS’s top offense continued to shine on family weekend.
The Hawks entered the game averaging 42 points per game on offense, and they eclipsed that mark against the Wildcats, scoring a season-high 51 points in the victory.
Scoring in this game got started quickly, after Villanova won the toss and deferred to the second half, Monmouth got the ball to start the game. On the second play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Derek Robertson found junior wide receiver Josh Derry open downfield. Derry was able to elude two Wildcat defenders and walk in for a 75-yard touchdown. Less than a minute into the game, Monmouth already had a 7-0 lead.
Villanova answered Monmouth’s quick touchdown with a score of their own on their first drive. Senior quarterback Pat McQuaide hit freshman wide receiver Brandon Binkowski for his second touchdown of his collegiate career. After two drives, the game was tied at seven apiece.
Monmouth’s second drive got deep into Villanova territory, with Derry accounting for 44 yards on the possession. However, an incomplete pass by Robertson on third down led to the Hawks settling for a field goal.
After the defense forced a Villanova punt after the Wildcats got to midfield, Robertson found a wide open receiver in senior running back Mekhi Green. The 72-yard touchdown pass was just the third play of a 97-yard touchdown drive, and it was Green’s first of the season. The first quarter concluded with Monmouth holding a 17-7 lead.
After a three-and-out from Villanova, Monmouth’s offense got the ball back and scored a touchdown. On third down with only one yard to gain, Robertson took a shot down field and found sophomore wide receiver Tra Neal for a 40-yard touchdown. The score marked the fourth straight drive to open the game for the Hawks that ended in points.
Villanova was able to get some momentum going on their ensuing drive by getting into the red zone, but on a third down pass that would have been converted for a first down, a fumble would be recovered by Monmouth’s freshman defensive back Chris Palmer Jr., giving the Hawks the ball back. Monmouth ended up getting into field goal range on this drive, but a third down intentional grounding penalty by Robertson knocked the Hawks out of field goal range and forced a punt, the first of the game for Monmouth.
The Hawks defense again forced a three-and-out, leading Monmouth’s offense again putting together another touchdown drive, as freshman running back Elijah Jennings scored in the wildcat formation to give Monmouth a 31-7 lead. Villanova responded with a touchdown of their own in the final minutes of the second quarter to cut the lead to 31-14 heading into halftime.
Villanova quickly got things started in the second half, only taking four plays to score a touchdown that cut the Monmouth lead to 31-21. After 14 unanswered points from the Wildcats, Monmouth struck back with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Rodney Nelson to extend the lead back to three scores.
Another three-and-out from Villanova gave the Monmouth offense the ball back, and they once again took advantage as Robertson found Derry for yet another touchdown. Derry currently has eight touchdown catches in just four games this season. He only had six touchdown catches in his two-year career prior to this season. Villanova would keep themselves alive with a touchdown late in the third quarter, but a failed two-point conversion kept their deficit at three scores.
Monmouth’s next drive ate up over half of the time in the fourth quarter, ending with Nelson scoring his second touchdown of the game, extending the Hawks lead to 51-27. The Wildcats scored a late touchdown to make the final score a little more respectable, but Monmouth wraped up its home opener with a 51-33 victory.
Robertson continued his hot start to the season, passing for 397 yards and four touchdowns with zero turnovers. Robertson continues to lead the FCS in passing yards, with over 400 more yards than second place. He also leads the FCS in passing touchdowns by five more than second place. Derry finished with 177 yards receiving and two touchdown catches. He is second in the FCS in receiving yards and first in receiving touchdowns. Nelson led the team in rushing, with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. Nelson is currently sixth in the FCS in rushing yards.
Heading into this game, Villanova was ranked No. 12 in the country in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, while Monmouth was ranked No. 18. The Hawks rose to No. 14 following their victory, while Villanova dropped down to No. 22.
Monmouth’s No. 14 ranking inches them closer to their highest ranking in program history, which was No. 11 achieved in both 2019 and 2021. The Hawks are now 3-1 on the season with their lone loss coming to FBS opponent Charlotte. They get their first bye week of the season next week before getting back into action in Kessler Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4 against Delaware State in their final non-conference game of the regular season.
After their game against Delaware State, the Hawks will play seven straight conference games to finish the regular season. Villanova now sits at 1-2 with losses to Monmouth and FBS No. 3 Penn State.
