GARDEN CITY, N.Y., October 30, 2021 – A battle of nationally ranked teams from New York resulted in a defensive battle on Saturday, seeing the No. 9-ranked Monroe College football team defeat NJCAA Div. III No. 1-ranked Nassau Community College, 9-7, at the Mitchel Athletic Complex. The Mustangs remain unbeaten at 7-0, while the Lions fall to 5-2.
 
Trailing 7-3 early in the fourth quarter, Zharell Walker made a big play on defense for the Mustangs. He intercepted a pass on the first play of a new drive for the Lions, giving the Mustangs great field position as they looked to take the lead. Roman Purcell came on at quarterback for the Mustangs for the drive, and opened a new series with a six yard run, but a personal-foul penalty against the Lions pushed the Mustangs up to Nassau's 38-yard line. Purcell then pitched the ball to his left to Troy Booker, who hit the sideline, evaded some tackles, and used his blockers to scamper all the way down the sideline into the end zone for the score. The extra point was missed, but the Mustangs took a 9-7 lead with 11:56 to play.
 
The Mustangs did not get to marvel at their accomplishment for too long, as Ka'Shaun Parrish returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to Monroe's 28-yard line. The defense stepped up, forcing two incomplete passes and just a three-yard run, but the Lions were able to attempt a 41-yard field goal. However, Tyree Martin broke through the line and blocked the kick, helping Monroe hang onto a two-point lead and getting the ball back.
 
Despite only being able to move four yards on the next drive, the Mustangs converted a first down and managed to run 3:24 off the clock before punting the ball away. Nassau got the ball back on Monroe's 40, but a holding penalty and another great effort on defense forced a three-and-out, getting the ball back for the offense.
 
Monroe then salted the clock away with a 10-play drive. Kimon O'Sullivan and Purcell did most of the work on the ground, with Purcell also coming up clutch by completing a 17-yard pass to LaMarcus Brand on third down. The Mustangs ended up turning the ball over on downs at Nassau's 35-yard line, but not before taking 5:31 off the clock and leaving the Lions with just 18 seconds.
 
Martin made another big play immediately on the next series, sacking the quarterback for a loss of six yards. Nassau tried to hurry to the line with no timeouts remaining, but a false-start penalty resulted in a runoff that ended the game and secured Monroe's victory.
 
The Mustangs took an early lead in the contest, scoring on their second drive of the game. Andrew Hardin intercepted a pass deep in Nassau's end of the field to set the Mustangs up with great field position with 11:52 left in the first quarter. Booker opened the drive with a 17-yard run to foreshadow the big day ahead. The Mustangs later stalled on the four-yard line, but Idrissa Nikiema made a 21-yard field goal to put Monroe up, 3-0.
 
The lead held through halftime, but the Lions turned the tables early in the second half. Shelton Applewhite Jr. was picked off on third down on Monroe's opening drive of the third quarter. The Lions took advantage by scoring on a 14-yard pass from Matthew Smith to Rayshion Bien-Aise, giving the home team a 7-3 advantage.
 
Booker had his best game of the season on Saturday, rushing 19 times for 133 yards and the game-winning touchdown. He also caught two passes for seven yards. Applewhite finished 10-of-16 for 75 yards and an interception. Purcell completed 1-of-2 pass attempts for 17 yards, adding five carries for 20 yards to help the Mustangs secure the win late.
 
The defense stole the show on Saturday, as both of its takeaways led to Monroe's only two scores of the game. Hardin finished with an interception, a pass breakup and four tackles in the win. Walker got the interception that was robbed of him in last week's game, adding six tackles and a tackle-for-loss as well. Michael Lufile led the Mustangs with 10 total tackles, including a sack. Martin had Monroe's other sack and a huge blocked kick in the fourth quarter. Cade White made five tackles in the game, while Johnathon Weir picked up four. Edmund Dennis broke up two passes in the win. Payton Edwards had a pass breakup and three tackles, including a tackle for loss.
 
The unbeaten Mustangs return home next weekend to take on the Gordon Sports Academy at Joseph F. Fosina Field in New Rochelle on Saturday, Nov. 6. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 39 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 18 teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).