NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University–New Rochelle football team opens the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29 at American International College at 1:00 p.m. It marks their first season competing with an NCAA Division II schedule.

A NEW CHAPTER

• The 2026 season will not simply be another year on the Monroe football schedule.

• It will be the first opportunity for the Mustangs to compete against NCAA Division II opponents as they continue their transition toward the next era of Monroe Athletics.

• Because of the new scheduling alignment agreement with the Northeast-10 Conference, Monroe will not compete in postseason tournaments during the 2026 season.

ON THE ROAD

·      Out of the nine games the Mustangs play this season, seven will be on the road.

·      Following the AIC game on the road, the Mustangs will return home to face Lackawanna on Friday, September 4, before going back on the road for six-straight games.

·      The Mustangs will not have another home game until the last game of the season on Saturday, November 14, against Keystone College.

TAKE THE BEST OF LAST SEASON

·      The Mustangs enter the new season with momentum from a 2025 campaign that saw Monroe finish 5-4 while averaging 23.8 points and 275.6 yards of total offense per game.

·      Monroe produced 2,480 yards of total offense last season, including 1,603 passing yards and 877 rushing yards, while scoring 28 total touchdowns. The Mustangs also finished the season with a 4-1 record over their final five games.

·      The 2025 season featured several notable victories, including a 20-17 win over then-No. 1 College of DuPage and a 34-7 victory over Lackawanna College. Monroe closed the campaign with a 27-10 road victory at Nassau Community College.

RETURNING WITH EXPERIENCE  

·      While the Mustangs will welcome several newcomers to the program, Monroe also returns a core group of players who gained valuable experience during last season's campaign.

·      Among the returners are sophomore quarterback Marcus Thaxton, tight end Tristan West, wide receivers Nasir Hawkins and Lawson Richberg, running back Lasean Sharp, and defensive backs Nireese McDougald, Willie Stewart, Artez Jones and Qua'Yier Alexander.

·      West enters the season after making an impact as a freshman in 2025, recording 13 receptions for 117 yards. Sharp appeared in six games last season and contributed four receptions, while Hawkins also returns after seeing action during the 2025 campaign.

·      The Mustangs' returning defensive group will also feature several players who gained collegiate experience last season, providing Monroe with a foundation as it prepares to face Division II offenses.

·      Among the most experienced returners is linebacker Ezekiel Ashiagbor, who enters 2026 as a junior after contributing on both sides of the ball last season. Ashiagbor recorded 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 2025, while also contributing 40 receiving yards and a touchdown.

UP NEXT

·      Monroe returns home for their season-opening game against Lackawanna College on Friday, September 4 at 6:00 p.m.