TROY, N.Y., October 21, 2017 – The road-warrior mentality helped the Monroe College football team get back on track on Saturday, as the Mustangs took down Hudson Valley Community College by a score of 24-0 to improve to 5-0 on the road this season. The Mustangs jump to 7-1 overall with the win, while the Vikings drop to 1-6.
 
The Mustangs got things going early in the first quarter when quarterback Jalen Brown connected with Shea Holbrook on a 53-yard pass for a touchdown, putting the Mustangs ahead, 7-0. Both defenses buckled down for the rest of the half, sending the game to halftime with the same score.
 
The Vikings took a chance to open the second half by attempted an onside kick on the kickoff. Their risk was successful, as they were able to recover and gain the first possession of the third quarter. The Mustang defense then went to work, not allowing the home team to go anywhere and stopping them on fourth down in their own territory to regain possession in great field position.
 
A 14-yard run on second down by Rasheed Martin gave the Mustangs a first down on the Vikings' 25-yard line. Brown then hit Victor Mintz over the middle for a 20-yard gain on second-and-long to put the Mustangs on the 13-yard line. Makiya Caesar was able to cap off the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown, pushing Monroe's lead to 14-0 in the third.
 
Shortly after switching sides to start the fourth quarter, quarterback Sean Kelly hit Holbrook deep down the left sideline for a 32-yard gain, setting up the Mustangs with first-and-goal on the six-yard line. A penalty gave the Mustangs first-and-goal on the two, and then Kelly handed off to Martin on an end-around, where he managed to plunge into the right side of the end zone to push the Mustangs ahead, 21-0.
 
The Mustangs later started a new drive on their own 20 with 11:54 left to play. Monroe rushed the ball on 10-of-13 plays on the drive, methodically moving the ball up the field before eventually getting stopped at the Vikings' 13. Jake Smith then nailed a 30-yard field goal to make it a 24-0 game.
 
The Mustang defense pitched its second shutout of the season on Saturday, forcing four interceptions and allowing just 110 yards of total offense. Dejohn Rogers, Tyrik Glenn, Qudair Sims and Diavonte Todd all came away with picks in the win. Glenn added two tackles for loss, including a sack. Clayton Glasco led the Mustangs with seven tackles, while Devin Lewis added five, including a pair behind the line of scrimmage. Dominique Rogers picked up a sack and a pass breakup. Darrius Stokes and Niadre Zouzoua also combined for another sack, while Stokes also broke up a pass.
 
The Mustangs played ground-and-pound on Saturday, rushing the ball 42 times. Caesar took 14 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown, while Martin toted it eight times for 25 yards and another score. Monroe did not need much from its passing game, but Brown and Kelly were both efficient. Brown completed 4-of-7 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, while Kelly went 4-for-6 for 59 yards, leading the Mustangs on drives for a touchdown and a field goal late in the game.
 
Shea Holbrook registered three catches for a game-high 95 yards and a touchdown in the win. Victor Mintz made two receptions for 44 yards, while Aaron Lewis caught two balls for 17 yards.
 
Monroe returns home for its final two games of the regular season, starting with a Northeast Football Conference matchup against ASA College on Saturday, Oct. 28. Kickoff from Joseph F. Fosina Field is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, will have six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs), and follow Mustang football on Twitter (@MJCMustangs).