Monmouth Rolls Past Bryant 34-21
Jennings and Smith combine for 332 rushing yards and four touchdowns as Monmouth improves to 6-0 in Coastal Athletic Association play.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
Monmouth defeated Bryant 34-21 on Saturday in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The Hawks built a 34-7 third-quarter lead behind a ground attack that totaled 319 rushing yards.
Why it matters
The win keeps Monmouth unbeaten in Coastal Athletic Association play and strengthens its standing in the conference race. It also marks the program's first 6-0 conference start since joining the league in 2022.
Elijah Jennings rushed for 175 yards with touchdowns of 18 and 37 yards, while Kenny Smith Jr. added 157 yards and two scores, combining for 332 yards on the ground. Monmouth averaged 6.8 yards per carry on 319 total rushing yards, while Bryant is now 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
The players
Monmouth University
Monmouth University is a private university in West Long Branch, New Jersey, whose football program competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
Bryant University
Bryant University is a private university in Smithfield, Rhode Island, whose athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I.
The details
Monmouth scored on its opening possession and led 24-0 midway through the second quarter. Bryant answered with a 1-yard Jordan Bennett touchdown run before halftime, but Monmouth pulled away after a Sky Sholder field goal and a second Smith touchdown in the third quarter.
Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026: Monmouth defeats Bryant 34-21.
Next Saturday: Bryant plays Albany.
Next Saturday: Monmouth plays North Carolina A&T.
Season Trajectory
Monmouth's 6-0 start in Coastal Athletic Association play is its first such conference start since joining the league in 2022, a milestone that places the Hawks in a strong position within the conference race. The win also keeps Monmouth among the leading contenders in a league it has steadily established itself within since entering in 2022.
Monmouth's 6-0 conference record gives it the inside track in the Coastal Athletic Association race, and the 332-yard rushing performance from Jennings and Smith is a useful signal for fantasy managers tracking Monmouth's backfield. The next game against North Carolina A&T will show whether the ground game can sustain its production.
The takeaway
Monmouth's balanced ground production, led by two backs who each topped 150 yards, shows how a run-first approach can carry a team through conference play. Its 6-0 start makes the rest of the Coastal Athletic Association schedule a test of whether that formula holds.
What happens next
Monmouth plays North Carolina A&T next Saturday, and Bryant plays Albany the same day.
Further reading
Explore more New Jersey Football coverage for context on the state's college teams.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
