CAA Football Countdown To Kickoff – Monmouth
8/18/2025 1:00:00 PM
We resume our CAA Football Countdown To Kickoff with a look at the Monmouth Hawks. Monmouth closed the 2004 campaign with back-to-back wins over nationally ranked opponents to finish 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the CAA.
The Hawks, who are picked to finish second in the CAA and are ranked in the Top 25 nationally, return most of the key performers from an offense that was one of the best in FCS, averaging 489.9 yards and 39.0 points per game. Leading the unit is quarterback Derek Robertson, the CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, who passed for 3,937 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. Also back are receivers Josh Derry (60 rec., 917 yds., 5 TD’s) and TJ Speight (61 rec., 896 yds., 6 TD’s), tight end Jack Neri (32 rec., 329 yds., 5 TD’s) and leading rusher Rodney Nelson (809 yds., 6 TD’s).
Monmouth hopes to be improved defensively. The Hawks will build around defensive backs Deuce Lee (70 tackles) and Justin Bennin (55 tackles, 2 int.).
Check back each day as we preview all 14 CAA Football members.
Aug. 8 – Maine
Aug. 11 – New Hampshire
Aug. 12 – UAlbany
Aug. 13 – Stony Brook
Aug. 14 – Rhode Island
Aug. 15 – Bryant
Aug. 18 – Monmouth
Aug. 19 – Campbell
Aug. 20 – North Carolina A&T
Aug. 21 – Elon
Aug. 22 – Hampton
Aug. 25 – William & Mary
Aug. 26 – Towson
Aug. 27 – Villanova