M onmouth Football was left out of the FCS Playoffs after a loss to UAlbany in the regular season finale on Nov. 22.
Entering the game, Monmouth was an overwhelming favorite to win. The Hawks were 9-2 and UAlbany was 1-10 with zero wins in CAA play. With a win, Monmouth would have locked up an FCS Playoff berth for the first time since the shortened spring 2021 season.
The first two and a half quarters of the game were dominated by the Great Danes, who took a 31-3 lead. It was the first time UAlbany had eclipsed 30 points in a game since their second game of the season on Sep. 6.
Despite a furious comeback attempt by the Hawks, the deficit was too much to overcome and Monmouth ended up losing 31-24. The win was UAlbany’s second of the season, as they delivered for interim head coach Jared Ambrose. Prior to the game, it was announced UAlbany would conduct a national coaching search for a full-time head coach in the 2026 season.
For the Hawks, the loss was only their third of the season. They finished the regular season with a 9-3 record overall and a 6-2 record in CAA play. It was their best regular season by winning percentage in a full season since 2019, a season in which the Hawks went 10-2.
Following the loss, there was some uncertainty about whether or not the Monmouth Hawks would still qualify for the FCS Playoffs. The Hawks were ranked No. 11 in the FCS before the loss, and many pundits still expected Monmouth to be in the bracket. However, when the teams that would be participating were revealed on Selection Sunday, there was no sign of Monmouth.
The Hawks were left out of the FCS Playoffs, and were listed as one of the “First Four Out” by the selection committee. Despite being left out, the Hawks had a strong case to be in. They had one of the most efficient offenses in the country and a signature win over a Villanova team that qualified for the FCS Playoffs.
In total, three CAA teams ended up making the playoffs. The Rhode Island Rams won the conference title outright and received an automatic bid to the playoffs. The aforementioned Villanova Wildcats also got a bid. The third team from the CAA to make the playoffs was the New Hampshire Wildcats, who defeated Monmouth earlier in the season, but had four losses. Of those three teams, two of them won their first round games. Rhode Island defeated Central Connecticut State, while Villanova took care of business against Harvard. New Hampshire lost its first round game to FCS powerhouse South Dakota State.
As for Monmouth, no bid to the playoffs means one of the best seasons in program history has come to an abrupt end. However, the team was given its flowers in postseason awards. Redshirt sophomore running back Rodney Nelson was named CAA Offensive Player of the Year after an incredible season, rushing for 1,805 yards and 18 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Lamont Lester Jr. was named CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Hawks got five players on the All-CAA first team: Nelson, Lester Jr., junior wide receiver Josh Derry, graduate offensive lineman JT Cornelius, and sophomore defensive back Jaeden Jones. Graduate quarterback Derek Robertson, redshirt senior wide receiver TJ Speight, and redshirt junior defensive lineman Josiah Graham were all named to the All-CAA second team. Redshirt sophomore Chris Moreno was named to the All-CAA third team, along with Jones for his special teams performance.
Despite the season ending on a sour note, the 2025 Monmouth Hawks will be remembered for the history they made, and they will widely be regarded as one of the best teams the program has ever seen.
