Derek Robertson throws for 351 yards and 4 TDs as Monmouth beats Delaware State 49-38

WEST LONG BEACH, N.J. — Derek Robertson threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns, Rodney Nelson carried it 32 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and Monmouth beat Delaware State 49-38 on Saturday.

Monmouth has started a season 4-1 for the first time since 2017, when the Hawks advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time.

Robertson found Tra Neal down the left sideline on a third-and-9 play for a 25-yard touchdown to cap the scoring with 8:40 remaining.

Neal also had a 9-yard touchdown grab with 1:53 left before halftime for a 28-21 lead. His trick play on a wide-receiver pass late in the third quarter led to a 33-yard completion to Jack Neri for a 42-35 lead.

TJ Speight added seven catches for 145 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown catch to give Monmouth a 14-0 lead. Neal had four catches for 57 yards and two scores.

Marquis Gillis had 132 yards rushing and a touchdown for Delaware State (3-3). James Jones added six carries, with three going for short touchdowns.