The final weekend of August is the cue for many to squeeze in a little late-summer fun. But for football fans, it's time for an early welcome to the fall gridiron action.

College football is back with a broad slate of Week 0 action across the country. Monmouth will help ring in the 2026 season with one of the most exciting matchups on Saturday. The No. 23 Hawks go on the road to face No. 15 Tennessee Tech in one of just two Division I matchups between ranked teams during the opening weekend of action.

The APP will have live updates and analysis of the Monmouth season opener as it unfolds. Stay tuned here for all the latest on the Hawks as they try to pull off a major road upset.

Tennessee Tech starts in Monmouth territory and capitalizes

The Golden Eagles drive started at the opposing 44-yard line. Southeast Missouri State transfer Jax Leatherwood gets the start at quarterback for Tech, so both teams go with the anticipated starters with no surprises at signal caller. Monmouth nearly forced a three-and-out, but Tech converted a 3rd-and-7 and it leads to a score. On 3rd-and-goal from the two, Leatherwood hits Gabe Nunez, who easily beat Hasson Manning for the touchdown. Tech takes a 7-0 lead with 9:56 left in the first quarter.

Monmouth receives to start

The Hawks start at their own 25 after a touchback. Frankie Weaver gets the start at quarterback for Monmouth. Two negative plays to start the opening drive and sets up a 3rd-and-15 overthrow on the deep out. A three-and-out to start the game is less than ideal for the visiting Hawks.

Pregame notes:

For some additional context on the projected starters below and the game more broadly, it's important to note that 11 positions were given an "OR" designation on the media two deep indicating that the starter spot could still go either way. It'll be interesting to see how much of that is season opener gamesmanship or how significant the early rotations will be at certain positions. It's certainly a storyline to monitor in the first half.

Hawks projected starters

OFFENSE

Quarterback

13 Frankie Weaver (6-5, 215, R-So.)

Running Back

3 Elijah Jennings (5-9, 180, R-So.)

6 Kenny Smith Jr. (5-10, 190, R-Fr.)

Wide Receiver

0 Gavin Nelson (6-0, 180, R-Sr.)

7 Tra Neal (6-1, 180, R-Jr.)

14 Christian Harrison (6-0, 195, Jr.)

Tight End

88 Marcus Middleton (6-3, 235, R-Jr.)

84 Shane Garrett (6-4, 240, R-Jr.)

Left Tackle

73 Matt Fries (6-5, 295, R-Sr.)

Left Guard

61 Collin Goetter (6-4, 295, R-So.)

Center

65 Kevin Shriner (6-1, 300, R-Sr.)

Right Guard

74 Michael Petito (6-2, 325, R-Jr.)

Right Tackle

77 Josh Duran (6-6, 305, R-Jr.)

DEFENSE

Defensive End

4 Hunter Watson (6-5, 260, R-So.)

Defensive Tackle

8 JJ Lewis (6-3, 280, Sr.)

90 Brendan Bigos (6-4, 280, R-Sr.)

92 Bryce Rooks (6-0, 295, R-Sr.)

Defensive End

52 Mounir Keshen (6-2, 245, So.)

Linebacker

27 Spencer Kishbaugh (6-3, 225, R-Jr.)

5 Charlie Sasso (6-0, 230, R-Sr.)

1 Ryan Russo (6-2, 230, R-Sr.)

Star

20 Hasson Manning Jr. (5-11, 190, Sr.)

Safety

2 Jaeden Jones (6-0, 200, Jr.)

26 Donovan Fey (6-2, 205, R-Jr.)

Cornerback

22 Christian Palmer Jr. (6-1, 185, So.)

36 Elijah Mathis (6-4, 200 R-Fr.)

Monmouth football how to watch

Game: No. 23/22 Monmouth vs. No. 15/14 Tennessee Tech

Date: 7 p.m. EST (6 p.m. local) on Aug. 29

TV: ESPN+

Location: Cookeville, Tennessee

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth vs Tennessee Tech college football | live updates

Source: Yahoo Sports