Defense Forces Three Turnovers as No. 9 Monroe Football Topples Louisburg

OUISBURG, Pa., September 28, 2019 – In its longest road trip of the season so far, it was business as usual for the No. 9-ranked Monroe College football team, as the Mustangs took down Louisburg College, 44-7, at Louisburg High School. The Mustangs improve to 4-0 on the year with Saturday's victory, while the Hurricanes fall to 1-2. The Mustang defense stepped up as it has done all season long on Saturday, forcing three turnovers while also picking up three sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Tim Donnahue, Tyrik Carter and Charles Amankwaa each had an interception in the game, but it was Amankwaa's pick that did the most immediate damage, as he returned it 30 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give Monroe a commanding 24-0 lead. The Mustangs methodically worked their way up the field on the opening possession of the game, running the ball on five of their first six plays. On 2nd-and-10 from Louisburg's 41-yard line, the Mustangs chose to throw, and Dominique Shoffner hit Jevin Frett for a 41-yard touchdown to put the Mustangs ahead, 7-0. The defense forced a quick three-and-out for the Hurricanes, forcing the home team to punt. Lucas Nunez returned the 34-yard punt to the Hurricanes' 40-yard line for a 15-yard return, setting up the Mustangs in great field position for their second drive of the game. It did not take long for the Mustangs to double the score. On the third play of the drive, Shoffner threw another deep ball, this time connecting with Nunez for a 43-yard touchdown to make it a 14-0 game early in the first quarter. Louisburg had a drive going on their next possession, going 50 yards on seven plays to reach the red zone. It was there that quarterback Nate Harden was picked off by Donnahue, giving the Mustangs the ball back on their own 19-yard line. Clayton Scott got the Mustangs to midfield with a 31-yard run on second down. A penalty had the Mustangs looking at 2nd-and-15, but a 13-yard completion to Frett gave the Mustangs 3rd-and-short. Another penalty gave the Mustangs a long third down, but some penalties by the Hurricanes bailed them out and set them up in the red zone. The Mustangs stalled on the 10-yard line, but Idrissa Nikiema converted a 27-yard field goal to make it a 17-0 game. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Amankwaa picked off Harden and took it 30 yards to the house to push the Mustangs' lead to 24-0 at the end of the first.