FAIRFIELD, Conn., September 25, 2022 – Taking to the road to take on the Sacred Heart University JV football team on Sunday, the Monroe College Mustangs football team took care of business, defeating the Pioneers, 45-6, at Campus Field. The Mustangs improved to 2-2 overall with their second straight win.
 
The Mustangs' second drive of the day got the scoring started. Ernest Blackshear got things going with a 14-yard run, and Mason Boothe completed a pass to Tavon Granison for another 14 to get to Sacred Heart's 21-yard line. A penalty later pushed Monroe back to the 23, but Boothe was able to find Ethan Hilliman across the middle for a wide open 23-yard touchdown, putting Monroe up, 7-0, with 7:28 to play in the first quarter.
 
The Pioneers battled right back with a long drive on the next possession. After starting on their own 24-yard line, the Pioneers went on a 10-play, 76-yard drive, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Frank Gamberdel to Elijah Ford. The extra point hit the right upright, leaving Monroe ahead, 7-6.
 
The Mustangs bounced right back on the ensuing drive. Rashann Tompkins made a 30-yard catch-and-run to get into Sacred Heart territory. A pair of 11-yard receptions by running backs Blackshear and Rashawn Reid had Monroe in position to score on the five-yard line. The first play the second quarter saw Boothe hit Hilliman for another score, pushing Monroe's lead to 14-6.
 
Before the Pioneers could get anything going on the next drive, Xavier Marquez picked off Jack Street at Sacred Heart's 40. However, two plays later, Boothe was intercepted trying for a deep ball to the end zone when Sacred Heart's Max Mongelli made an impressive grab toward the back of the end zone to give the home team the ball once again.
 
After the touchback, Sacred Heart drove down deep into Monroe territory, but the defense came up with the stop on the seven-yard line to hold onto an eight-point lead, which the Mustangs eventually took into halftime.
 
The defense stepped up again to open the third quarter, getting another interception when Mysonne Pollard picked off Gamberdel at Monroe's 42. The Mustangs took advantage on offense, methodically moving the ball down the field before Blackshear finished things off with a 12-yard touchdown run, making it a 21-6 game in favor of Monroe early in the third quarter.
 
The defense got another stop, but a great punt by Sacred Heart's Mike Argenziano had the Mustangs pinned back on their own two-yard line. On second down, Boothe connected with Jessie Parson across the middle of the field, where he was able to shake off a couple defenders and getting behind the defense, sprinting all the way down to the end zone for a 98-yard touchdown, giving Monroe a 28-6 advantage.
 
Jalan Early took over under center for Monroe late in the third quarter. Monroe took over at Sacred Heart's 30-yard line on the Mustangs' first possession of the fourth quarter. Early hit Reid out of the backfield for a 16-yard gain into the red zone, and then Early ran it inside the one-yard line. He then punched it in himself on the next play for the score, making it a 35-6 game.
 
Monroe's next drive was stalled at Sacred Heart's 14-yard line, but Sebastian Aranda was good on a field goal from 31 yards out to push Monroe's lead to 38-6.
 
The Mustangs took over again after a bad snap over the quarterback by the Pioneers was recovered by Monroe. Christopher Leimberg took over at quarterback and immediately threw his first touchdown pass, an 18-yard connection with Jamel Stubbs, reaching what proved to be the final score of 45-6.
 
Boothe completed 18-of-26 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Blackshear rushed six times for 34 yards and a score, adding four receptions for another 29 yards. Parson led the receiving corps with 111 yards and a score on three receptions. Hilliman scored twice on three receptions with 44 yards. Tompkins finished with three catches for 65 yards. Justin McDuffie led the Mustangs in rushing with 68 yards on three carries thanks to an impressive 61-yard run.
 
Marquez had both of Monroe's sacks in the game, as well as a forced fumble and an interception in an all-around great day. Brandon Bish led the team with six tackles, including one for a loss of yards, adding a fumble recovery. Nareece Wright made five tackles and two pass breakups in the win. Pollard had an interception and two tackles.
 
Aranda made all six of his extra-point attempts in the game, as well as a 31-yard field goal, totaling nine points in the win. He also averaged 49.6 yards per kickoff on eight kicks.
 
The Mustangs outgained the Pioneers, 449-203, in the win, which includes a 329-162 edge in passing yards and a 120-41 edge in rushing yards. Monroe converted on 4-of-9 third downs, while the Pioneers were only good on 2-of-11 chances. The Mustangs went a perfect 6-for-6 in scoring in the red zone.
 
The Mustangs are back at it at home on Saturday, Oct. 1, for the annual Monroe College Homecoming Football Game at Joseph F. Fosina Field. Monroe will host Sussex County Community College in New Rochelle, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well 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 11 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). Read Full Article