Monmouth runs past Bryant to secure first 6-0 CAA start

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) Elijah Jennings and Kenny Smith Jr. combined for 332 rushing yards and four touchdowns as No. 18 Monmouth Hawks beat Bryant Bulldogs 34-21 on Saturday to remain unbeaten in Coastal Athletic Association play.

The Hawks (7-2, 6-0 CAA), ranked No. 18 in the Stats Perform FCS poll, are off to their first 6-0 conference start since joining the league in 2022.

Jennings rushed for 175 yards and scored on runs of 18 and 37 yards, while Smith added 157 yards and touchdowns of 55 and 8 yards.

Monmouth took control early, scoring on its opening possession before building a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Bryant (5-4, 3-2) got on the board on Jordan Bennett’s 1-yard touchdown run before halftime, but the Hawks stretched the advantage to 34-7 in the third quarter on a Sky Sholder field goal and Smith’s second touchdown.

Monmouth finished with 319 rushing yards and averaged 6.8 yards per carry.

Brennan Myer threw for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Bryant. Deshon Jenkins led the Bulldogs with 50 yards rushing and scored on a 12-yard run in the final minute.

Bryant: vs. Albany next Saturday.

Monmouth: vs. North Carolina A&T next Saturday.

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