WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 20, 2025) -- It was a thrilling home opener for the King's College football team as the Monarchs secured their first win in 2025, 27-21, over the visiting FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium. The Monarchs improve to 2-1 and 1-1 in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) standings with their 10^th consecutive win over their foes, while the Devils fall to 0-3 with an 0-2 MAC mark.

After trading three-and-outs, Hailey got his day started with his first score, a 54-yard touchdown grab from Jaelin Mims on the first play of the drive, to give King's (2-1, 1-1 MAC) the first points of the game with 11:58 left in the first. Both offenses stalled down the remainder of the quarter as the Monarchs maintained their 7-0 advantage through the first frame.

The second quarter was a defensive standoff as neither offenses could get much going until the Monarchs found the end zone again with 5:35 to go in the half as Mims connected with Rob Ford for a 29-yard catch to the one-yard line, and Hailey ran it in for his second touchdown of the game as the King's lead jumped to 14-0.

FDU-Florham (0-3, 0-2 MAC) finally broke through and got on the scoreboard with 55 ticks to play, scoring on an eight-play, 64-yard drive to make it a one score contest, 14-7, at the break.

It was more of the same in the third as the defenses forced four three-and-outs over the next stretch, but this time it was Brennan Robinson to spark the offense, rushing for 16 yards on a pair of carries to start the drive before breaking loose for a 64-yard touchdown run to push the King's advantage to 21-7 with 4:54 to go in the third.

The defense came up big as FDU-Florham was driving on their next possession, but Zach Hulsizer forced a fumble on their own 36-yard line that was recovered by Bryan Kelly to give the Monarchs the ball to start the fourth. One play later, Hailey struck again for a 17-yard touchdown run as King's posted a 27-7 lead with 14:54 remaining.

The Devils did not go away quietly, scoring two plays later on a long touchdown reception, as the scoreboard read 27-14 with 13:53 left. King's picked up a quick first down on their next drive but stalled from there to set up FDU-Florham's next trip to the end zone. After 10 plays, 84-yards, and 5:31 of game clock the Devils chipped away again at the deficit to close within six, 27-21, with 4:57 to play.

King's turned the ball over on downs, and again the defense came up in a clutch situation as Michael Richino forced a fumble on the sack on the King's 22-yard line that was recovered by Jayson Howarth with 33 seconds on the clock. Mims kneeled out the remaining game clock as the Monarchs picked up the important conference win, 27-21, over the Devils.

Hailey had a great day for the Monarchs, catching two passes for 57 yards with a touchdown while rushing for 18 yards and two scores. Robinson finished with 183 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and Shemar Ellis ran for 42 yards on four attempts. Mims also passed for 103 yards on six completions.

Rush had his third straight double-digit tackle game, making 15, while Zach Hulsizer added eight with a forced fumble. Jacob Mullery, Nathan Taylor, Craig Graves, and Tarylle Stewart all contributed six tackles a piece. Richino recorded five with 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Additionally, Bryan Kelly had three break ups with his fumble recovery.

On special teams, Gavin Wolfe averaged 47.5 yards on his six punts, putting five inside the 20, while Brandon Auguste returned three kickoffs for 75 yards. Noah Tapler kicked off five times for 289 yards, and Aaron Losada was 3-for-4 on extra-point attempts.

FDU-Florham was led by Jake Sconza with 288 passing yards on 21 completions, while Andrike Terry Jr. caught six passes for 127 yards and a score. Kwanir Edwards totaled 72 rushing yards on 21 carries, while Matt Heineman registered 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, a forced fumble, two break ups, and two quarterback hurries.

As a team, the Monarchs had a 245-93 edge on the ground as part of their 348 yards of total offense in the game. King's also went 2-for-2 in the red zone in the win.

The Monarchs return to McCarthy Stadium next weekend as part of Homecoming and Family Weekend. King's is set to face Eastern at 1:00 p.m. in the MAC contest.