Monmouth returns 11 key players from an offense that was among the country's best last season, providing a sense of hope for the upcoming campaign.
WEST LONG BRANCH – Run it back.
It’s an oft-repeated phrase around Kessler Stadium that’s come to embody the latest edition of Monmouth football, both taking accountability for last year’s disappointing 6-6 finish, and the extraordinary buy-in that resulted in 11 key players from the country’s best FCS offense opting to return.
When last seen, Monmouth was rolling up 690 yards, including 536 yards through the air, in a 55-47 road takedown of No. 18 Stony Brook. It was the Hawks’ second win in as many weeks over a ranked foe, after beating FIU early in the season for the program’s first-ever win over an FBS foe.
“After that last game we saw the potential of what this could be,” junior receiver Josh Derry said. “We knew we had the kind of team that could win a championship. So coming off that game, talking to each other, we decided, ‘let’s run it back.’ “
How high the Hawks’ offense can fly, after smashing several program marks in 2024, could have national ramifications if they can return to the FCS Playoffs for the first time since the pandemic-impacted 2021 spring season.
“We lost a couple of games we weren’t supposed to lose,” senior receiver TJ Speight said. “You know how powerful our offense is, beating two ranked teams, and beating an FBS team, that shows how good our offense is, and I think this is going to be a great year.”
Monmouth ranked second nationally in total offense (489.9 yards per game), scoring offense (39.0 points), and passing offense (332.5 yards) last season. The Hawks were picked to finish second in the 14-team CAA behind Rhode Island.
“They’re hungry. They’re hungry to win. So I’m excited about that,” Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan said.
Big-time threats downfield
The accolades have poured in for Monmouth quarterback Derek Robertson, including Preseason CAA Offensive Player of the Year and All-American honors, while emerging as a favorite for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the FCS offensive MVP.
That’s what happens when you lead the country with 328 passing yards per-game, throwing for 3,939 yards, and are top 10 in every major passing category.
While Robertson’s making the throws, none of it would be possible without a receiving corps deep with talent and experience.
Speight, who had a team-high 61 catches last season for 896 yards and six TDs, and Derry, with 60 catches for 917 yards and five TDs, were Preseason All-CAA selections. Their numbers this season could surpass those Lonnie Moore IV and Terrance Greene Jr. put up in 2019, combining for 139 catches for 1,948 yards and 19 TDs.
And they’re not the only playmakers downfield. Junior Gavin Nelson averaged 18.3 yards on 35 receptions, including a 72-yarder, with three TDs, and sophomore Tra Neal had a team-best seven TD grabs among his 34 catches as a rookie. Senior tight end Jack Neri caught five TD passes a year ago, and 6-6 tight end Marcus Middleton caught 14 passes as a freshman.
Records could fall
Robertson set single-season program records for passing yards (3,937) and touchdowns (31) last season. And a lot more records could fall in 2025.
Robertson’s 328 yards-per-game passing last season was fourth-best all-time in the CAA. Robertson could easily get up to second, but the top mark is a daunting 393.8 yards set in 2012 by ODU’s Taylor Heinicke, now with the Los Angeles Chargers for his 10th NFL season.
The CAA career marks for touchdown passes and yards gained, both set at New Hampshire by current head coach Rick Santos, will be tough to top. Santos threw for 123 TDs, but Robertson, who has 68 career TD passes – he threw 37 for Maine in the CAA before transferring – could get up to No. 2 on the list.
It would take a big playoff run for Robertson to get to Santos’ total yards mark, with Robertson needing to throw for around 5,000 yards this season to break it.
New plan in red zone
Gone is fullback Sone Ntoh, the Harvard transfer who scored 39 TDs in two seasons at Monmouth, leading the country with 25 rushing TDs and total TDs (26) in 2024. And before Ntoh was Owen Wright, now with the Tampa Bay Bucs, providing the power at the goal line and in short yardage situations, part of a string of big backs the Hawks have relied on in recent years.
The equation changes now, with Rodney Nelson (5-8, 195), who ran for 809 yards and six TDs last season as a redshirt freshman, and senior Makhi Green (5-9, 170) set to utilize their speed in the red zone.
It could also mean a few more scoring opportunities for the tight ends and wide outs, with the Hawks featuring a host of options on a short field.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth football: Offense at record-setting clip key to CAA title bid
Category: General Sports
