Pitman, NJ- Announced on Monday afternoon by the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) office, the Montclair State University football team is projected to finish fourth this season and was labeled the conference's ''dark horse" to win the NJAC as the conference released the 2026 Coaches' Preseason Poll.
Below is how the voting finished:
| 1. Salisbury (6) |
| 2. CNU (1) |
| 3. Rowan (1) |
| 4. Montclair State (dark horse) |
| 5. TCNJ |
| 6. Kean |
| 7. William Paterson |
| 8. Castleton |
Christopher Newport enters the season as the defending conference champion after a 10-1, 7-0 NJAC season. Montclair finished fourth with a record of 5-5 overall and 4-3 in NJAC play.
The Red Hawks' season campaign will kick off on Thursday, September 3, at home against the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The game is set for a 5:00 p.m. start.
