HIGHLAND, Kan., August 31, 2024 – It was a tough first game of the season for the Monroe University football team, as the Mustangs lost in their season-opening trip to Kansas with a 31-0 final score at Highland Community College on Saturday.
 
The Scotties got things starting quickly, opening the game with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that was capped off by a Landyn Moore three-yard rushing touchdown that put the home team up, 7-0, just over four minutes into the game. Monroe's ensuing drive unfortunately did not gain much ground, forcing Monroe to punt the ball back to Highland. It took just two plays for the Scotties to double the lead, as Gunnar Smith connected with Dariyonne Bryant for a 63-yard touchdown reception, making it a 14-0 game with 8:10 still remaining in the first quarter.
 
The Mustangs were on the move on their next possession, converting three first downs and getting into the red zone before disaster struck, as a strip sack gave the ball back to Highland late in the first quarter. Monroe's defense then came up big by forcing two negative plays and an incomplete pass to get the ball back again.
 
Both teams were unable to get much going until a Highland possession close to halftime. The Scotties got the ball on their own 44-yard line, and later managed to convert on a 4th-and-13 to reach 1st-and-goal. Moore scored on a six-yard run on the next play to give the home team a 21-0 lead.
 
After another Mustang drive stalled, Highland got the ball back with 1:14 left in the half. On the second play of the drive, Deamonte Ferrufino picked off Smith to get the ball back for Monroe near midfield with a minute until the break. The Mustangs had a field-goal chance with time expiring, but a 41-yard kick went wide, sending the game to halftime with a 21-0 lead for the Scotties.
 
The Mustangs defense stepped up again midway through the third quarter. On first down after the Mustangs were hit with a roughing the punter penalty that kept a Highland drive alive, Malik Matthew got into the backfield and jarred the ball loose from the quarterback on a sack, but Highland was able to recover the fumble. Two plays later, Ezekiel Ashiagbor got to Smith again, but this time was able to recover the fumble he forced to get the ball back for Monroe.
 
The Scotties managed to pad their lead later in the third. They started a new drive on Monroe's 31-yard line after Brice Johnson Jr. returned a punt 47 yards. Six plays into the drive, Smith found Javais McGhee for a 16-yard score, making it a 28-0 game.
 
Early in the fourth, Highland took advantage of a Monroe interception that gave the Scotties the ball deep in Monroe territory. The Mustangs' defense held the Scotties to just six yards on the drive, but Justin Anderson was able to make a 33-yard field goal to reach the eventual final score of 31-0.
 
Raeden Oliver completed 16-of-28 passes for 128 yards and an interception is his debut under center for the Mustangs. Kayee Williams led the team with 21 rushing yards on six carries. Jashaun Amin caught five passes for 47 yards, while Evan Harrington made four receptions for 33 yards.
 
Matthew led the Mustangs on defense with five total tackles, which included a sack and a forced fumble. Na'il Johnson also had a sack for the Mustangs. Ashiagbor forced a fumble, while Ferrufino made his first career interception in the game. Kareem Lewis, William Dudley and Anthonio Beckford each had four tackles in the game, while Shamir Fredericks, Michael Henderson and Matthew Courtney all broke up passes.
 
The Mustangs will look to bounce back next Saturday, Sept. 7, when they host Sussex County Community College in their home opener at The Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Saturday's kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe College marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven 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