American International College

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College football team won a 17-3 opening-day victory over Monroe University on Saturday, August 29.

AIC starts the 2026 season at 1-0.

The Yellow Jackets forced a three-and-out on Monroe's opening drive, helped by a combo sack from Shamar Pink and Eric Jennings. AIC's first offensive drive did not fare much better; the team managed one first down, but then was driven back and forced to punt as well.

AIC's defense shut Monroe's offense down once again, and took over on its own 30 after another punt. The receiving corp then went to work; Eric Neal Jr. caught a nine-yard feed over the middle for a first down, and then Daron Bryden uncorked a deep ball to Hardley Gilmore, who came down with it on the Monroe 18-yard line.

The Mustangs threatened to stop AIC, forcing a fourth down, but the Yellow Jackets decided to go for it. Bryden was flushed out of the pocket, but flew downfield into open space. As he approached the goal line, he was hit hard, and the ball popped loose, with a Monroe defender falling on it. Officials signaled a touchdown, which the Mustangs challenged.

Review determined that Bryden had fumbled before scoring, but also that the hit was helmet-to-helmet, and made a targeting call as a result. That gave AIC possession back at the one-yard line, and Bo Catherwood stuffed it home on a draw play. Luke Sheets completed the conversion, and AIC held a 7-0 lead.

Monroe's next drive concluded at the end of the first with a punt, leaving AIC with the ball to start the second. AIC had a 19-yard play wiped out by a penalty, and faced another fourth down as a result, but again was able to convert, and followed immediately with another Bryden-to-Gilmore deep strike to put the ball on the Monroe 24-yard line. Three plays later, Bryden found Gilmore in the end zone on a four-yard route, and Sheets again hit the PAT for a 14-0 lead with 9:47 to play in the half. 

Neither team scored for the remainder of the first half, and the third quarter likewise flew by with minimal scoring as both defenses dug in; Tyrone Smith batted down what looked like a sure touchdown pass midway through the quarter, and the Mustangs settled for a field goal on that drive. 

That 14-3 result remained into the fourth, as both teams turned the ball over. AIC's second drive of the final period bore fruit, however, as Sheets knocked home a 28-yard field goal to restore the 14-point edge, and the defense forced a turnover on downs on Monroe's final drive to end the game.

Bryden was 15-of-30 for 248 yards in the air; Gilmore hauled in 110 of those on five catches. Judah Varfley led AIC's rushing with 41 yards on eight carries, as the team totaled 107 yards on 33 attempts total. 

AIC's defense recorded six total sacks, including back-to-back Anthony Mack stuffs. Chris Sanchez led the defense with six tackles. Finally, Sheets scored five points on the field goal and two PATs. 

The Yellow Jackets continue nonconference play with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff against Lock Haven University at Ronald J. Abdow Field on Saturday, September 5.