The 2026 college football season kicked off with a much‑anticipated matchup between the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the Monmouth University Hawks, marking the first time the two programs ever met on the gridiron.
Tennessee Tech walked away with a decisive 38‑14 victory, a result that not only gave the Golden Eagles their opening win but also ended Monmouth’s three‑game streak of beating ranked opponents.
First Half Momentum
The Golden Eagles struck early, capitalizing on a short field after a Monmouth turnover. A 1‑yard rush by Kenny Smith Jr. put the visitors on the board, and the defense quickly added pressure, forcing a fumble that set up another scoring drive.
Jax Leatherwood, operating the offense for Tennessee Tech, was efficient, completing 24 of 36 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with receivers down the sideline kept the Hawks' defense guessing throughout the half.
Second Half Surge
After the break, Tennessee Tech extended its lead with a swift drive that culminated in an MJ Flowers touchdown, followed by a 40‑yard field goal from Carter Brown. The Golden Eagles' special teams continued to shine, turning a short field into points after a Monmouth miscue.
The offense maintained its rhythm, converting all four red‑zone attempts while Monmouth managed only two of three opportunities. Tennessee Tech's clock‑control strategy, holding the ball for 37:55 of the game, limited the Hawks' chances to respond.
Defensive Highlights
On defense, the Golden Eagles posted 395 total yards allowed but forced a crucial turnover early, and linebacker Charlie Sasso led the team with a career‑high 10 tackles. Jaeden Jones contributed 11 stops, underscoring a unit that aimed to keep the Hawks off balance.
Head coach Jeff Gallo acknowledged after the game that the team fell short of its own standards, citing missed third‑down conversions (5‑of‑13) and inaccurate field‑goal attempts as key factors in the loss.
Despite the setback, Monmouth's players, including Frankie Weaver who attempted a career‑high 41 passes, showed resilience, and rookie quarterback Elijah Jennings saw limited action but contributed where needed.
The win marks a promising start for Tennessee Tech, who now look to build on this momentum as they head into conference play, while Monmouth will aim to regroup and address the issues highlighted by their coaching staff.