NEW ROCHELLE, NY — If you looked at the offensive numbers of more than 400 net yards and a defense that was what the coach called “dominating” you would assume that Monroe would win the game. But three crucial miscues did the Mustangs in on a rainy and cold Joseph F. Fosina Field and they dropped to Erie, 22-19. Their season record is now 4-5.
“They could not move the ball on us,” said head coach Terry Karg. “We played outstanding on ‘D’ and we moved the ball at times on them, but we were not effective at finishing drives.”
The three plays that in effect, turned the game from Monroe were a blocked field goal that went for a TD, a pick-six at the end of the first half, and a fourth-quarter kickoff that left an untouched football for the Kats to fall on for the winning TD.
On the plus side, sophomore Greg Jones had the best game of his Monroe career, rushing for 204 net yards on 27 carries.
“Our O-line did a great job of blocking for him,” Coach Karg said, ” and at the same time he did a good job squaring his shoulders and running downhill all game long. He’s a versatile football player who loves to play. You can see it in the way he practices.”
You could see the results of that dedication on Saturday, as the 6’0″ 205-lb. running back from Colonia, NJ had a number of long runs from scrimmage including a gorgeous 67-yarder.
Sophomore Nickolas Bynkoski started at QB for the Mustangs and went 6/14 for 62 yards with two interceptions. Because the coach felt that Monroe “needed more mobility in the game,” they went with Darius Taylor in the second half. The freshman from Washington, DC was 11/27 for 132 yards.
Monroe will get back on the field with a chance to finish their season at .500 against Globe next Saturday, November 8 at 1:30pm.
