Monroe Football Accepts Graphic Edge Bowl Invitation; Will Play in First-Ever Bowl Game

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, November 13, 2018 – For the first time in the program's seven-year history, the Monroe College football team will be playing in an NJCAA bowl game, as the Mustangs have accepted an invitation to the Graphic Edge Bowl, which will be played on Sunday, Dec. 2, at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The No. 12-ranked Mustangs will take on No. 16 Iowa Central Community College in the opening game of the Graphic Edge Bowl, which is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CST (12 p.m. EST). The Graphic Edge Bowl matchup between the Mustangs and Tritons will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

I am very proud of the upward climb of our football program in its first seven years of existence and we are very appreciative for the opportunity to play Iowa Central CC in the Graphic Edge Bowl. It seems like yesterday that we were buying gear to play our first season. A lot of credit goes to the people that surround our program at the administrative level, academic and student services support, and the athletic department as a whole. Our coaches have been dedicated to recruiting the best student-athletes for Monroe College and have done a terrific job of developing and mentoring them. Lastly, I'm extremely proud of our players, they have raised the standard of the program and its culture through relentless effort and a desire to be great.

- Head Coach Terry Karg

The Mustangs earned their way into the Graphic Edge Bowl by having a historical season. Their No. 12 ranking this week is the highest in the program's history. Monroe is 7-1 at the end of the regular season, registering the fewest losses in the regular season in seven years as a program. "I'm extremely proud of the program and body of work that has been put in by the coaching staff and players," said Director of Athletics Luis Melendez. "We feel that it's a well-deserved opportunity, and we are looking forward to having a great trip and competing in a bowl game for the first time." The history of the Graphic Edge Bowl dates back to 1978, when Coffeyville Community College defeated Iowa Central, 35-13. Monroe will be the sixth New York-based team to play in the Graphic Edge Bowl, the first since Globe Tech in 2015. Nassau Community College has played in the bowl game twice (1996, 2004), while Hudson Valley Community College competed in the Graphic Edge Bowl in 1980 and 2003. Last year's Graphic Edge Bowl saw No. 3 Iowa Western Community College defeat Northwest Mississippi Community College, 36-19, in the featured game. Ellsworth Community College took down No. 20 Northland Community and Technical College, 55-14. Iowa Central last played in the Graphic Edge Bowl in 2014, when the Tritons beat No. 13 Rochester Community and Technical College, 41-27.