Tritons Control Monroe For Graphic Edge Win

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Tritons managed 206 passing and 128 rushing yards en route to the bowl victory

Iowa Central scored on the game's opening drive to set the early pace. The Tritons finished a methodical 13-play, 69-yard series with a nine-yard completion from Bryon Jarrett to Cal Weidemann in a nearly six-minute drive.

Penalties would sputter both offenses for most of the opening half. Both teams accounted for 12 total penalties in the first 30 minutes.

The Mustangs got on the board midway through the second quarter when Tyree Martin recovered a fumble by the Tritons on the Iowa Central 11-yard line. One play later, Monroe quarterback Shelton Applewhite Jr. found Jalen Rose Hannah in the endzone to tie the game with 5:38 to play before halftime - a score that would hold until the break.

Iowa Central capitalized on a Monroe mistake on the Mustangs first possession of the second half. The Mustang punter could not field a low snap on a 4th and 4 play from the Monroe 28-yard line. Iowa Central's Perry Slater recovered the ball on the Mustang two-yard line and converted two plays later when Daylen Boddie stretched the ball over the goal line for the 14-7 advantage.

The Mustangs would capitalize on an Iowa Central error two series later. Monroe's Andrew Hardin recovered a fumble by Iowa Central on the Triton 29-yard line. The Mustangs cashed in the turnover two players later with a 31-yard TD strike from Shelton Applewhite Jr. to LaMarcus Brand. 

Iowa Central would answer on the next series. Daylen Boddie scampered in for his second score of the day, capping of a six-play, 61-yard drive to put the Tritons back in the lead. 

The Tritons would increase the lead shortly thereafter. Iowa Central's Deante Nelson picked off a deflected Mustang pass at midfield. Seven plays later, Izaiah Haslett found the end zone after breaking several tackles on a 4th and 4 reception.  

Monroe cut the deficit in half by capping off an 84-yard drive with Shelton Applewhite Jr.'s floater to Rashann Tompkins in the back-left corner of the end zone. 

The win for the Tritons was sealed by a 1-yard QB sneak by Byron Jarrett with 2:54 remaining in the game. The Mustangs had a final opportunity after scoring via a seven-yard TD strike from Shelton Applewhite Jr. to Jamarii Robinson with under a minute remaining, but the onside kick attempt was recovered by Iowa Central.

The victory was Iowa Central's 11th consecutive victory in The Graphic Edge Bowl and 17th all-time in the classic. The Tritons boast an all-time 19-11-1 NJCAA bowl record.

Iowa Central's Daylen Boddie was named the game's Offensive MVP after finishing with 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Monroe's Nick Evans collected Defensive MVP honors after 10 tackles and three sacks in today's contest.

Iowa Central finishes the season with a 9-2 record while Monroe drops to 10-1.

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Score Summary:

FIRST QUARTER

7-0 Iowa Central | 9:05 - Byron Jarrett pass complete to Cal Weidemann for 9 yards to the MCM00, TOUCHDOWN. Colin Swygman PAT is GOOD. 13 plays, 69 yds

SECOND QUARTER

7-7 Tie | 5:38 - Shelton Applewhite Jr pass complete to Jalen Rose Hannah for 11 yards to the ICCC00, TOUCHDOWN. Idrissa Nikiema PAT is GOOD. 1 play, 11 yds

THIRD QUARTER

14-7 Iowa Central | 12:03 - Daylen Boddie rush for 1 yard to the MCM00, TOUCHDOWN. Colin Swygman PAT is GOOD. 2 plays, 2 yds

14-14 Tie | 8:42 - Shelton Applewhite Jr pass complete to LaMarcus Brand for 31 yards to the ICCC00, TOUCHDOWN. Idrissa Nikiema PAT is GOOD. 2 plays, 29 yards

21-14 Iowa Central | 5:13 - Daylen Boddie rush for 11 yards to the MCM00, TOUCHDOWN. Colin Swygman PAT is GOOD. 6 plays, 61 yds

28-14 Iowa Central | 0:34 - Byron Jarrett pass complete to Izaiah Haslett for 27 yards to the MCM00, TOUCHDOWN. Colin Swygman PAT is GOOD. 7 plays, 50 yds

FOURTH QUARTER

28-21 Iowa Central | 8:56 - Shelton Applewhite Jr pass complete to Rashann Tompkins for 14 yards to the ICCC00, TOUCHDOWN. Idrissa Nikiema PAT is GOOD. 6 plays, 84 yds

35-21 Iowa Central | 2:54 - Byron Jarrett rush for 1 yard to the MCM00, TOUCHDOWN. Colin Swygman PAT is GOOD. 10 plays, 85 yds

35-27 Monroe | 0:52 - Shelton Applewhite Jr pass complete to Jamarii Robinson for 7 yards to the ICCC00, TOUCHDOWN. Idrissa Nikiema PAT is MISSED off upright. 10 plays, 67 yds