NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., October 7, 2017 – The No. 16 Monroe College football team went up against its toughest challenge of the season so far in Valley Forge Military College at Joseph F. Fosina Field on Saturday, and narrowly escaped a big comeback by the Trojans in the fourth quarter. After the Mustangs took a 21-point lead, the Trojans managed to chip away, eventually taking advantage of the opportunities given to them to get back within two points in the final minutes. The Mustangs made big plays when they needed to late, and managed to hang on for a 34-32 win in Saturday's contest. Monroe improves its undefeated record to 6-0, while the Trojans fall to 2-3.
 
The Mustangs drove deep into Trojan territory midway through the first quarter, but got stopped at the 10-yard line for a turnover on downs in their first good scoring opportunity of the day. They later took over on their own 25-yard line with 2:11 left in the first. Facing third-and-24, Rasheed Martin rumbled through the box and down to the far sideline for a 34-yard run and a first down to keep the drive alive. Martin kept rolling with an 11-yard rush on the next play for another first down. Monroe faced third-and-eight when Jalen Brown stepped up in the pocket and hit Nyjaliek Williams streaking wide open up the seam, taking it 42 yards for a touchdown to put the Mustangs ahead, 6-0, shortly after the second quarter began.
 
Two plays into the ensuing drive for the Trojans, Niadre Zouzoua forced a fumble, which was recovered by Dejohn Rogers and taken to the Valley Forge 21-yard line, setting the Mustangs up with great field position shortly after putting the first points on the board. Three plays later, Brown connected with Shea Holbrook in the back of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown, giving Monroe a 13-0 advantage with 11:31 left in the half.
 
After stopping Valley Forge once again, the Mustangs took over at midfield with 10 minutes to play until halftime. The first snap went over Brown's head, and was recovered by Valley Forge's Joe Dahn at the 25-yard line, who later lateraled to Sadique Moore who took it the rest of the way for the fumble return touchdown, making it a 13-6 game.
 
Late in the half, Valley Forge got the ball back with just 1:03 on the clock. The Mustangs did not allow the Trojans to go anywhere, using all three of their timeouts as well to force Valley Forge to punt with 31 seconds remaining. Their plan worked out, as Clayton Glasco broke through the blockade and blocked the punt, which Zouzoua fell on top of to give the Mustangs a chance to score on the 16-yard line with 27 seconds until the half. Three plays into the drive, Brown found Imhotep Cromer right in front of the goal line, and he was able to power through a defender into the end zone to put Monroe ahead, 20-6, heading into the break.
 
The Mustangs forced the Trojans into a quick three-and-out to open the third quarter. An afternoon of wild special teams plays continued, as a bad snap prevented the punter from getting a kick off, and he was stuffed in the backfield by Richard Butler to give Monroe the ball on Valley Forge's 23-yard line. Monroe could not move the ball on its first three plays, but a pass interference penalty on fourth down gave the Mustangs new life. On the next play, Brown dumped one off to Martin, who dove for the pylon down the right sideline and scored, making it a 27-6 game.
 
Valley Forge found a rhythm on the next drive and methodically moved the ball up the field. The Trojans converted a fourth-and-one at Monroe's 48-yard line midway through the drive. They faced the same situation down at the Mustangs' 16-yard line, but this time, running back Tayvon Ruley was able to break away down the right side of the field and into the end zone for a touchdown, getting Valley Forge back within 15 at 27-12.
 
Valley Forge was in position to score once again early in the fourth after Monroe punter Jake Smith attempted to run on a fake punt in his own end zone. He was pushed out a yard short of the line-to-gain, giving the ball to the Trojans on the 10-yard line. The Mustang defense did not budge, forcing the Trojans to lose 10 yards before Jeremy Perry intercepted a pass on fourth down to get the ball back for Monroe.
 
Monroe found itself back in a similar situation as its last drive, punting from deep in its own territory. Smith was unable to hang on to the snap, and was taken down for an 11-yard loss. It took one play for Ruley to rush it 11 yards into the end zone to make it a 27-18 game with 10:28 still left in the game.
 
The Mustangs could not take much time off the clock on their next drive, and a 14-yard punt return put the Trojans on their own 38-yard line for their next drive. On second-and-17 from the Monroe 48, quarterback Austin Scott found Ed Dennis for a 48-yard catch and run, getting the Trojans back within three at 27-24 with 7:04 left in the fourth.
 
The Trojans caught the Mustangs a bit off guard with a well-placed onside kick past Monroe's second line of blockers, where Khalif Hopkins-Bey was able to fall on it and give the ball back to Valley Forge on the Monroe 34-yard line. A late-hit penalty nearly cost the Mustangs early in the drive, but the defense held strong, forcing three straight incompletions to end the drive at the 17-yard line, giving the ball back to Monroe.
 
From the Mustangs' 18-yard line, Brown found Cromer up the seam for a 46-yard catch and run down to the Valley Forge 36. On the next play, Makiya Caesar took the handoff, hit the hole, and was off to the races, sprinting into the end zone to push Monroe's lead back up to 10 at 34-24 with 3:57 left in regulation.
 
Monroe nearly had the game in hand after forcing an incompletion on third-and-12 on Valley Forge's 28-yard line, but a personal foul penalty gave the visitors another first down. The Trojans were still unable to move the ball much, looking at a fourth-and-seven on the 46. Scott tossed one up for a well-covered Kadir Chisholm, who was able to find the ball after it was batted into the air twice by Mustang defenders, and sprinted down the near sideline for a 54-yard score. Going for two, Scott again found Chisholm, who made a spectacular one-handed grab over strong coverage to make it a 34-32 game.
 
The Trojans tried a short kickoff down the middle of the field hoping for a lucky bounce to get the ball back. Martin camped out under it like a punt, but was unable to hang onto it, sending the ball five yards forward and giving the Trojans a chance to recover. Martin kept his composure and quickly jumped on top of it, securing possession for the Mustangs with just 2:11 on the clock. Monroe went backwards for a five-yard loss on first down, but kept the clock running. Caesar then carried the ball 17 yards for a first down, icing the game for the Mustangs, who ended it with one more kneel down.
 
Making his first start of the year, Brown completed 12-of-28 passes for 179 yards and four touchdowns to help lead the Mustangs to victory. Martin rushed 17 times for 70 yards, adding two catches for 15 yards and a score. Caesar carried the ball seven times, rushing for 53 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown scamper to ultimately secure the win. Cromer had a breakout game on Saturday, catching four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Williams took his only reception 42 yards for a touchdown, while Holbrook found the end zone as well after making two catches for 26 yards.
 
Glasco had a big day on defense and special teams for the Mustangs. He led Monroe with eight tackles in the game, including a tackle for loss. Glasco also blocked a punt in the win. Lloyd Jackson finished with six tackles, including two for a loss of yards and one for a sack. Jason Simon and Tyrik Glenn each also registered a sack. Niadre Zouzoua made four tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage. He also forced a fumble in the win, and fell on a blocked punt. Dejohn Rogers made four tackles and recovered a fumble, while Jeremy Perry made four tackles of his own and intercepted a pass. Leoandro DeBrito made a pair of pass breakups in the win. Richard Butler made four tackles, including a pair for a loss of a total of 20 yards.
 
Valley Forge's Scott passed for 209 yards, two touchdowns and a pick after completing 19-of-36 passes. Ruley rushed 18 times for 67 yards and two scores. Chisholm caught four passes for 75 yards and a touchdown, adding a two-point conversion. Aamir Brown made eight receptions for 50 yards. KJ Lawrence led the Trojans on defense with six tackles, including 3.5 for a loss of yards.
 
With a tough matchup now in the books, the Mustangs face another tall task next week, as they host Northeast Football Conference foe, and nationally-ranked No. 10 Lackawanna College on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Fosina Field. Kickoff is set for 6 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).