Sophomore running back Rodney Nelson ran for four touchdowns as Monmouth spoiled Hampton’s homecoming with a 28-10 victory in Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The win marked the Hawks fifth straight victory, as the team remained undefeated against FCS opponents.
Monmouth received the opening kick, and was able to drive the ball into Hampton territory. The Hawks drive stalled, and got aggressive going for it on fourth down, but an incomplete pass by freshman quarterback Frankie Weaver ended the drive. Weaver was officially making his first start at quarterback for the Hawks, as graduate quarterback Derek Robertson remained sidelined with an injury.
Hampton was able to get the ball to the Monmouth goal line, but attempts to run the ball in got stuffed by the Hawks defense, and the Pirates settled for a field goal.
On the first play of Monmouth’s second drive, Weaver completed a 20-yard pass to junior wide receiver Josh Derry. After that catch, Nelson ran the ball on five consecutive plays for 55 yards. His last run was a five-yard touchdown run, giving Monmouth a 7-3 lead with a little over five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Hampton’s next drive ended with a third down sack by freshman defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr., as Hampton punted and gave Monmouth the ball back.
The ensuing Monmouth drive was dominated by the run, as Nelson and freshman running back Elijah Jennings combined for 73 yards rushing, with Nelson punching in his second touchdown on a three yard run.
With Monmouth holding a 14-3 lead, both offenses began to stall. The two teams punted on their next drives before Hampton was able to get inside of the Monmouth red zone with goal to go. On first down, Hampton junior quarterback Braden Davis was sacked by sophomore defensive back Jaeden Jones. On second down, Davis was sacked again, but this time the ball came loose, and junior linebacker Ryan Russo recovered the fumble for the Hawks. The sack that led to the fumble was made by junior defensive lineman Josiah Graham. The defensive stand led to Monmouth holding on to its 14-3 lead heading into halftime.
Hampton got the ball to start the second half, and it did not take long for them to take advantage. A 44-yard completion from Davis to senior wide receiver Tae’Shaun Johnson set the Pirates up at the goal-line, and freshman running back Gracen Goldsmith punched it in to cut Monmouth’s lead to 14-10 a little over two minutes into the second half.
Monmouth was able to get deep into Hampton territory once again off the back of the run game, but on fourth down from the Hampton two-yard line, Weaver threw an incompletion to sophomore wide receiver Tra Neal, leading to another turnover on downs for the Hawks. Hampton responded with a turnover on downs of their own, as on 4th & 1 from the Monmouth 38-yard line, freshman running back Jah’Kei Chavis was stuffed by the Hawks defense.
Monmouth found themselves in Hampton territory again, in a fourth down situation. They elected to go for it again as they usually do, and this time Weaver was sacked and fumbled the ball, giving the Pirates the ball in great field position.
Hampton was not able to take advantage of the field position as Monmouth’s defense forced a punt. On the Hawks drive, Nelson once again took over, rushing for 42 yards and a touchdown to give Monmouth a two-score lead in the fourth quarter.
Hampton got the ball back looking to stick around in the game down 21-10, but Davis would be intercepted by Monmouth’s sophomore defensive back Izzy Clark-White. This was followed up by Nelson’s fourth rushing touchdown of the game, solidifying a 28-10 win for Monmouth.
Nelson ended the game with 233 rushing yards, a career high, on a whopping 33 carries. He was named CAA Player of the Week for his performance. In total, the Hawks ran the football 49 times. Weaver finished with 122 passing yards and an interception on a Hail Mary attempt to end the first half. The Monmouth defense had one of its best performances of the season, with four sacks and two turnovers.
With the win, Monmouth now sits at 7-1 overall on the season. They remain undefeated in CAA play at 4-0. The Rhode Island Rams are the only other team unbeaten in CAA play. The Hawks maintained their positions at No. 9 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, and No. 10 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. The other teams in the CAA that are ranked are Villanova, sitting at No. 11 in both the Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform Poll, and the aforementioned Rhode Island Rams, who are No. 12 in the Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the Stats Perform Poll.
Monmouth continues its road trip this weekend as they travel north to take on the Bryant Bulldogs, who notably defeated FBS opponent UMass earlier in the season.
As for Hampton, they are now 2-7 overall on the season and winless in CAA play. They have a bye this weekend before getting back into action on Nov. 8 against the Maine Black Bears.
