Monsters rough up explosive New Mexico Military offense

By Brian Wright
Sports Editor
Published on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:35 AM MST

Eastern Arizona College needed to make a statement after another painfully close loss to Snow College on Oct. 17.

The No. 15 Monsters (6-2, 3-2) did that with their best all-around performance of the season in a 42-27 win over No. 16 New Mexico Military Institute on Saturday in Thatcher.

Defensive back Shawn Samuel started the show with a 32-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown early in the first quarter, and Eastern imposed its will the rest of the night.

Steve Jackson, left, gives fellow running back Chris Long a celebratory pat on the helmet after Long scores his second touchdown of the game Saturday night in Thatcher. Long finished with 173 yards on 13 carries for the Monsters. Photo by Brian Wright

“There’s no doubt (NMMI) is the best offense in the conference, and to hold them to what we did is admirable,” EAC coach John O’Mera said.

All-American cornerback Prince Ryans intercepted two passes, and the Monsters recovered three Broncos fumbles.

NMMI (5-3, 3-3) came into the game averaging 409 yards of offense but ended with 283. The Broncos scored 54 points against Snow and 40 against Arizona Western earlier this season.

The EAC offense also played its best game of the year, according to O’Mera. The Monsters had 396 yards (all rushing) and had zero turnovers.

Running back Chris Long had 173 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Cody Von Appen rushed for 91 yards and three scores.

The Eastern pass rush hurried and hit Broncos quarterback Watson Toglallua enough to disrupt the NMMI passing attack.

Defensive end Glen Stanley (sack, forced fumble) was a big part of that. Stanley leads the Monsters with 43 tackles and six sacks.

“The last two weeks, we haven’t turned the football over,” O’Mera said. “If we do that, we’re going to be in any football game and have a chance to win.”

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1 comment(s)

Skip Henderson wrote on Oct 28, 2009 9:15 AM:

" This Monsters played a pretty darn good game. The defense was terrific. The offense was good. The special teams...

If you take away the quick 14 points scored at the start of the game, it was a one point game. Character was demonstrated by both teams.

Special teams really ought to get some work. The sacraficial punter gimmick is not working (short punts), the snaps on FG attempts are terrible (many blocked kicks), kick off coverage is weak and there has been little improvement all year. "

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