Skylanders Head Coach Accepts Responsibility After Tough Loss to Monroe Mustangs

MOUNT VERNON, NY — September 7, 2024

The Monroe University Mustangs football team defeated the Sussex County Community College Skylandsers, 21-6, to end a two-game skid against the Skylanders over the last two seasons. After a hard-fought defeat, Sussex County Community College Skylanders Head Coach James Robertson took full ownership of the team's performance, vowing to lead them to improvement.

"We didn't execute the way we needed to, and that falls on me," Robertson said. "I need to do a better job preparing our players for the challenges on the field. Our assistant coaches have been outstanding, especially given the short preseason, but ultimately, I have to step up."

Despite the loss, Robertson remains confident in the Skylanders' ability to rebound. With a bye week ahead, the team will focus on correcting mistakes and preparing for their next matchup.

"We'll take this time to regroup and improve," Robertson assured. "I believe in this team—our players, our coaches—and I know we'll be ready for Louisburg."

Monroe's Mustangs ended a two-game losing streak to Sussex in front of their home crowd at The Stadium at Memorial Field, evening their record at 1-1, while Sussex dropped to 0-1 to start the season.

The Skylanders struck first after a 41-yard pass from Maurice Williams to Brion Dorsey set up a two-yard touchdown run by Williams. However, a blocked extra point kept the score at 6-0. Sussex's defense held firm early, with Renaldo Cambronne intercepting Monroe's Raeden Oliver on their next drive, but Monroe's defense quickly responded, preventing the Skylanders from extending their lead.

In the second quarter, Monroe capitalized on a Skylanders fumble, recovering the ball deep in Sussex territory. Five plays later, Monroe's Rodreckus Johnson scored the Mustangs' first touchdown, followed by a successful extra point to give Monroe a 7-6 lead at halftime.

The Mustangs looked to be in trouble early in the third quarter. Three plays into their first drive, Raeden Oliver completed a pass to Jashaun Amin, but Amin was hit hard by Sussex County's safety Jamil Peterson and the ball came loose, allowing Daylin Gooden to scoop it up and return it 21 yards to Monroe's 21-yard line. Monroe's defense picked up the offense after the Skylanders reached first-and-goal on the 10, pushing them backwards before the Skylanders decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 23-yard line. Williams hit Stewart at the line of scrimmage, but Courtney came flying in once again to force another fumble. The Skylanders recovered this time, but turned the ball over on downs back to Monroe. 

The teams then traded punts until the Mustangs took over on their own 26 midway through the third. Sean Robinson took a handoff and cut out to the Skylanders' sideline with plenty of speed for a 37-yard run down to Sussex's 32. Oliver then found Lasalle Rose wide open cutting up the seam for a 32-yard catch-and-run into the end zone for another Mustang touchdown, pushing Monroe's lead to 14-6 with 5:38 left in the third.

The Mustangs' defense continued to make clutch plays on the ensuing Skylanders drive. With third-and-10 just across midfield, Ja Bonner dropped back and was swallowed up by Justice Jordan, who knocked the ball loose and recovered it to take the ball back for Monroe with just a minute left in the quarter. And then less than a minute into the fourth, Oliver found Donovan Brown in stride on a deep fade toward the near corner of the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown pass, stretching the lead to 21-6 with 14:11 to play.

"We have the right group of guys here, and it's all about building team chemistry and a sense of brotherhood. Our coaching staff has done an outstanding job, and we're fortunate to have an athletic director who fully supports us. It's easy to overlook that we graduated 19 of 22 starters from last year's 8-2 team. Developing that chemistry takes time, especially when most of these players have only been together for three weeks."

Sussex's Rob Garrett was a standout on defense, tying for the team lead with five tackles, adding two sacks and three tackles for loss. Offensively, Dorsey shined with 101 receiving yards. Despite the strong individual performances, Sussex was unable to break through Monroe's defense after their early lead.

The Skylanders look to bounce back in their next game against Louisburg College on September 21st, with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Louisburg High School.