Monmouth football lost its first game of the season on Saturday to the Charlotte 49ers, a team that plays on the FBS level of college football.
After a program-defining win last year against FBS Florida International, Monmouth fell just short of getting an FBS win in back-to-back seasons, dropping the game to Charlotte by a score of 42-35.
The Hawks received the opening kick, but it was all for not as Charlotte forced a quick three and out. Charlotte was able to get the ball to around midfield on their opening drive, but a holding penalty on third down stalled their offense, forcing a 49ers punt. Monmouth’s offense was again taken off the field after three plays following a third down sack.
The first big play of the game would come on Charlotte’s second drive, as their junior quarterback Conner Harrell fumbled the ball, and Monmouth’s sophomore defensive back Jaeden Jones recovered it, setting up the offense with great field position at the Charlotte 40-yard line.
The Hawks took advantage of the field position by scoring the first touchdown of the game on a one yard touchdown run by freshman running back Elijah Jennings. The touchdown was the first of Jennings’s collegiate career.
Charlotte got the ball back and drive down the field. However, on the first play of the second quarter, junior running back CJ Stokes fumbled and Monmouth’s junior defensive lineman Brendan Bigos recovered.
The drive was Charlotte’s second in a row that ended in a fumble. Monmouth drove deep into Charlotte territory after the fumble, but they would get aggressive on fourth down and fail to convert, leading to the first turnover on downs of the game.
The two teams exchanged punts before Charlotte scored their first touchdown of the game on a seven yard touchdown pass from Harrell to senior wide receiver E. Jai Mason.
Monmouth’s high-powered offense flexed its muscles in the ensuing two minute drill, as senior quarterback Derek Robertson completed all six of his pass attempts for 75 yards, capping it off with a 15 yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver, Maxwell James, for his first touchdown catch of the season.
The first half was capped off by an interception by Monmouth’s junior defensive back Ayden Martin, the third turnover of the game by the 49ers. The Hawks went to the locker room holding a 14-7 lead.
After a relatively slow first half of offense, the third quarter had an offensive explosion from both sides. Charlotte received the opening kick and scored a touchdown in less than three minutes. Monmouth responded with a touchdown drive of their own that took a little over two minutes.
The touchdown was caught by junior wide receiver Josh Derry. Charlotte scored another touchdown, tying the game at 21. On Monmouth’s second drive of the half, they again got aggressive on fourth down in Charlotte territory, but a 49er sack ended the drive. Charlotte got the ball back and drive down the field, with Harrell throwing his second touchdown pass of the game to give the 49ers a 28-21 lead. After the first half saw 21 total points combined, the third quarter alone had a total of 28 points scored between both teams.
The offensive fireworks continued in the fourth and final quarter. On the first play of the frame, Robertson threw yet another touchdown pass, this time to sophomore running back Rodney Nelson. With the game tied at 28, Charlotte went on the longest drive of the game to that point, an 11 play drive that ended with Harrell’s second touchdown pass to Mason.
Monmouth responded with a long 11 play drive of their own and once again even the score, as Derry would catch his sixth touchdown pass of the season, already eclipsing his mark of five last year in just three games.
With a little over three minutes of game time left, Charlotte got the ball back and went down the field to take a late lead, as Harrell would run in for a touchdown giving him his fifth on the day.
Monmouth got the ball back with a chance to tie, but a turnover on downs would seal the win for Charlotte.
Robertson threw for 410 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. He currently leads the FCS in passing yards with 1,265, and touchdown passes with 14. Nelson led the team in rushing with 45 yards on 11 carries. Derry led the team in receiving with 110 yards on seven receptions, plus the two touchdowns.
Derry is currently third in the FCS in receiving yards, and tied for the lead in touchdown receptions with six.
Despite the loss, Monmouth remained ranked at No. 18 in the country FCS wise in the AFCA FCS coaches poll.The team now sits at 2-1, and after three road games to start the season.
The Hawks will host Villanova in their home opener this Saturday. The Wildcats, who are coming off a loss to national powerhouse Penn State, are ranked No. 12 in the FCS in the coaches poll. Both teams will look to get an edge in the CAA as they open conference play.
