This game was broadcasted on TSRNsports.com only so we had to use a portable CD player to play the commercials. The pre-game started at 6:30 and the stupid CD player wasn’t working!!! Bobby and Erik were the broadcasters so they looked at me to find a store and buy a new one!! Luckily, there was a Walgreen’s down the street and I got a new one and made it back to the booth at like 6:58; 2 minutes before game started!!! I saved the broadcast!!! Yay!!!
Despite not having a Wagner starting line-up, I knew who the main dudes on offense were so I was able to put them on my stat board very easily. Totally different story for Monterrey Tech as I only had a roster. I basically added the Tech players as they touched the ball. As the game rolled on, I started to get more familiar with the Monterrey players.
Monterrey Tech bought with them the Mexican Flag and after the Mexican national anthem was played, both head coaches shook hands at midfield; very classy.
The Wagner Thunderbirds had 160 more yards of total offense and 9 more first downs than Monterrey Tech. By just those numbers alone, one would think Wagner crushed em, but that didn’t happen!!
Robbie Gardner, the Wagner running back, had 18 carries for 90 yards and 1 touchdown. The quarterback, Tekoa Bryant-McKinnies, had 206 yards passing and 1 touchdown. Khalil Bragg-Morris, a wide receiver, had 5 receptions for 136 yards and 1 touchdown.
Monterrey Tech’s starting quarterback, Melchor Emanuel Fuente, got hurt in there first possession. Man, that sucks!!! Alfredo Mauricio Mogas, the back-up quarterback, looked kinda shell shocked for the first 3 quarters; but in the 4th, he was very impressive. Mogas was 15 for 28 passing for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns (all 3 were in the 4th). Seven receivers caught a pass. The most impressive and incredible catch that gave Monterrey Tech the lead was by Eduardo Califa. I hope someone got it on tape cause it could be the pass of the year. Califa caught the pass with 1 hand and never blinked or turned around; he was running at full speed…TOUCHDOWN!!! Wow!!!! Unbelievable catch and comeback in the 4th quarter for Monterrey Tech!!! They scored 27 points and Wagner scored nothing!! That comeback for Monterrey Tech started when a Wagner punt went for negative yards and Tech returned it to the 10 yard line!!!
I along with a lot of fans and media were really expecting Wagner to cruise to an easy win. When you team is down 24-0 going into the 4th quarter like Monterrey Tech was last night, it is so easy to just quit playing, but Monterrey Tech never threw in the flag; they kept fighting and ended up scoring 27 points in that final quarter to give them a huge upset victory over the Wagner Thunderbirds. Wow!!!
I was really happy for the Monterrey Tech players, coaches, and fans when they scored there first touchdown of the game. Going home with at least 6 points is much better than a big fat zero!!! After that first Tech touchdown; everything went downhill fast for Wagner.
So far this season, this was the best game I have seen and could be the upset of the year!!!
I worked a Wagner game last season in Week 2 and they had a 14 point lead with about 4 minutes left in the game. There opponent, the Johnson Jaguars, scored 15 points in that 4 minute span to win the game by 1 point. Gosh, what is it with Wagner losing games after having big leads?
Even though the Thunderbirds lost last night to a team from Mexico, I say throw the film in the garbage can, practice hard every day, stay healthy, and prepare for your next game which is against the Judson Rockets in 2 weeks!!! That is gonna be an awesome game and hey, I am gonna be there! It will for sure be a full house in Converse!!!
Final score
Monterrey Tech 27 (2-3) Wagner 24 (3-2 0-0)