NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., September 30, 2017 – In its long-anticipated return home, the No. 15 Monroe College football team put on a show on defense en route to a 33-3 victory over the New Jersey Warriors in the Mustangs' home opener at Joseph F. Fosina Field on Saturday. The Mustangs improve to a perfect 5-0 with the win, while the Warriors drop to 1-3.
 
The Mustang defense allowed just 50 yards of total offense to the Warriors on Saturday, and took the ball away three times. Monroe was constantly in the backfield, holding New Jersey to a total of -20 yards rushing on the day. The Mustangs also picked up six sacks in the win, as well as an incredible 20 tackles for loss.
 
The Mustangs turned the ball over on the opening drive, allowing the Warriors a great opportunity to take an early lead. After Monroe stopped the Warriors on the Monroe 20-yard line, Darrius Stokes jumped through the line on the ensuing field goal attempt, blocking the kick to keep the Warriors off the board.
 
Late in the first quarter, the Warriors once again had the ball deep into Mustang territory. New Jersey's Byron McGrath rushed for seven yards, but was hit by Trevon Pearson, who knocked the ball loose and then recovered the fumble to take the ball back for the Mustangs.
 
In the second quarter, the Mustangs forced New Jersey to punt near midfield, and took over on their own 47 after a penalty during the return. Monroe methodically moved the ball up the field, eventually earned a first-and-goal on the three-yard line. Quarterback Sean Kelly did not waste any time, rushing it himself into the end zone to put the Mustangs ahead, 6-0.
 
On the first play of the next drive, Dejohn Rogers intercepted Warrior quarterback Rasheed Martin, setting the Mustangs up on the New Jersey 29-yard line. After a false start penalty, Sean Kelly tossed one up to Tyler Hodge in the right corner of the end zone, where he hauled it in for a 34-yard touchdown to give Monroe a 12-0 lead, which it held through halftime.
 
The Mustangs kicked off to open the second half, and quickly forced a three-and out. On the punt attempt, the long snapper sent it too high for the punter, who was forced to pick it up and run to salvage what he could of the play, resulting in a 12-yard loss and a turnover on downs. Monroe needed just three plays for Makiya Caesar to take it in for a four-yard rushing touchdown, pushing Monroe's lead to 19-0 early in the third quarter.
 
Another three-and-out forced by Monroe's defense got them the ball back at their own 45-yard line. A seven-play, 55-yard drive was capped off by a five-yard rush into the end zone by quarterback Jalen Brown, giving the Mustangs a 26-0 advantage with 6:21 left in the third.
 
With 4:43 left in the game, the Warriors found themselves on Monroe's nine-yard line. Mario Reed lined up for a 26-yard field goal, and made it to end the shutout and leave the Warriors down, 26-3.
 
A bit later, Diavonte Todd came away with an interception on the first play of another Warrior drive, setting up the Mustangs with first-and-goal at the two-yard line. Three plays later, Monroe tailback Rasheed Martin plunged over the line to make it a 33-3 game.
 
Leoandro DeBrito finished with a team-high four tackles for loss in the win, as well as a sack. Richard Butler registered two sacks and four total tackles. Niadre Zouzoua and Pearson each forced a fumble in the game, while Pearson had the only fumble recovery. Rogers and Todd each had an interception in the win, while Rogers also added a pass breakup. Clayton Glasco led the Mustangs with eight total tackles, adding 1.5 tackles for loss. Dominique Rogers and Jordan Valerius-Twyman each picked up a sack, while Devin Lewis and Jeremy Perry combined for one more.
 
Kelly went 4-of-9 with 65 passing yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 19 yards and another touchdown in the first half of Saturday's victory. Jalen Brown completed 5-of-9 passes for 60 yards, and rushed for four yards and a touchdown.
 
Rasheed Martin led the Mustangs with 84 yards on the ground on 13 carries, adding a touchdown and a long run of 34 yards. Makiya Caesar rushed 12 times for 42 yards and another score. Martin also caught one pass for nine yards, while Caesar added a 27-yard reception.
 
Tyler Hodge caught a 34-yard touchdown for his only reception of the afternoon. Aaron Lewis caught two balls for 17 yards, and Nyjaliek Williams matched both of those totals. Victor Mintz registered a 14-yard catch, and Dayvon Ford managed a seven-yard reception.
 
The Mustangs play at home once again on Saturday, Oct. 7, when they host Valley Forge Military Academy in their annual Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Fosina Field.
 
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).