Alexandria, VA – A late scoop and score from sophomore
Justice Jordan of the Monroe University football team put the finishing touches on a 34-20 neutral site victory over Division III No. 5 Louisburg College on Saturday.
Following a fumble on a kickoff return, the Hurricanes controlled the ball in Mustang territory with less than five minutes remaining in a one score game. On second down, freshmen
Tavon Barnes and
Browne Callanan got to the quarterback, resulting in a fumble. Enter Jordan, who scooped up the loose ball for a 67-yard return that shifted the momentum.
It was a chaotic game that saw Monroe fall behind 10-7 early before tying it up by halftime. The second half saw 34 combined points, with Monroe never trailing after a touchdown on its first possession out of the intermission by redshirt sophomore
Jashaun Amin.
Monroe was aggressive early with a fourth down conversion on the opening series. The gamble paid off, leading to a 29-yard touchdown to freshman
Diasian Noakes.
Despite relinquishing the lead in the second quarter, redshirt freshman
Charles Williams and freshman
David Rodriguez kept Louisburg's offense at bay as they each recorded interceptions.
Sophomore
Joseph Wright connected on a 37-yard field goal to close out the half.
A quick series from the Hurricanes segued into Amin's 55-yard touchdown, thrown by redshirt sophomore
Jayden Young. It was a tremendous play, with Amin extending his arms for an over-the-shoulder basket catch to make it 17-10 in favor of the Mustangs.
Despite continuing the defensive pressure, a costly mistake on a fake punt play led to a pick-six for the Hurricanes. But Monroe didn't let the error slow it down as Young found redshirt sophomore
Evan Harrington for a crucial 35-yard touchdown.
On the ensuing possession, with the Hurricanes deep in Mustang territory, sophomore
Ja'Von Barnes produced a huge fourth down stop before freshman
Sa'eed Cole flipped the script on the following play with a 76-yard rush down the right side.
Cole's chunk play led to Wright's second field goal of the game, pushing the lead to ten points.
Louisburg responded with a field goal of its own to make it 27-20 before Monroe's fumble on the ensuing kickoff return. Facing a potential game-shifting drive, Jordan erased any doubt with his second defensive touchdown in as many weeks.
Jordan joined Amin, Harrington and Noakes in the touchdown department. All four players have scored in back-to-back weeks.
Amin led the way with 78 receiving yards as he inches closer to second all-time in program history. Cole rushed for 140 yards on an 8.2 yards per carry clip.
Defensively, sophomore
Jordan Byron was locked in with three pass deflections. Fellow defensive back redshirt sophomore
Deamonte Ferrufino paced the team with six solo tackles.
Monroe enters its bye week on a high note and will host Sussex County Community College on Saturday, October 25, at 1:00 pm as a part of Homecoming week for Monroe University. The Mustangs defeated the Skylanders in their season opener on August 30, 28-6.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University 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.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (
Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (
@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (
@monroemustangs).
