FCS-CFB Game Preview: Delaware State Hornets (3-2) vs. Monmouth Hawks (3-1)

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Time: 1:00 PM ET – FloFootball
Venue: Kessler Stadium, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Capacity: 4,200

Weather Forecast (West Long Branch, NJ)

Kickoff: 71–73°F, clear skies

Rain Chance: 0%

Wind: SW 6–8 mph

Impact: Ideal football weather; no weather-related disruptions expected

Injury Report

Delaware State: No reported injuries

Monmouth: No reported injuries

Key Player Matchups

Quarterbacks:

Delaware State: Kaiden Bennett – 597 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT

Monmouth: Derek Robertson – 1,640 yds, 18 TD, 5 INT

Running Backs:

Delaware State: Marquis Gillis – 445 yds, 2 TD

Monmouth: Rodney Nelson – 512 yds, 4 TD

Receivers:

Delaware State: K. Benton – 156 yds, 2 TD

Monmouth: Josh Derry – 534 yds, 8 TD

Defensive Leaders:

Delaware State: N. Biggs – 2.5 sacks; B. Bates – 33 tackles

Monmouth: J. Graham – 4 sacks; J. Jones – 34 tackles

Recent Team Form

Delaware State (3-2):

L 35-31 @ Sacred Heart

W 39-10 @ St. Francis (PA)

W 36-14 vs Bowie State

W 37-32 vs Albany

L 35-17 @ Delaware

Monmouth (3-1):

W 51-33 vs Villanova

L 42-35 @ Charlotte

W 49-28 @ Fordham

W 42-39 @ Colgate

Team Records

Delaware State Hornets: 3-2 overall

Monmouth Hawks: 3-1 overall

Series History

All-Time: Monmouth leads 2–0

Last Meeting: 2016 – Monmouth 34, Delaware State 20

First Meeting: 2014 – Monmouth 52, Delaware State 21

Betting Trends

Delaware State: 3-1 ATS; 3-1 O/U

Monmouth: 2-2 ATS; 4-0 O/U

Situational: Monmouth averaging 44.3 PPG (#24 FCS); Delaware State averaging 31.0 PPG

Historical Betting Results

2016: Monmouth 34, Delaware State 20 (Monmouth covered, Under hit)

2014: Monmouth 52, Delaware State 21 (Monmouth covered, Over hit)

Projected Score: Monmouth 45, Delaware State 24

Game Odds

Delaware State Hornets                76.5

Monmouth Hawks                           – 20.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025

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Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.