Monroe Football Moves up to No. 12 in NJCAA Football Rankings

CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 9, 2018 – The Monroe College football team took another step forward this week, jumping up two spots in the NJCAA Football Rankings to No. 12, as announced by the NJCAA on Tuesday. The Mustangs remained undefeated on Saturday, picking up a 28-7 victory at Valley Forge Military College. Zaire Jones had a pair of highlights for the Mustangs, breaking off touchdown runs of 90 and 40 yards in the win. Tyler Baileycontributed with a touchdown run of his own, and Tyler Hodge made a tough catch in the end zone to help the Mustangs to victory. Grant Melton had an interception on defense, while Jordan Valerius-Twyman had a pair of sacks and Niadre Zouzoua had 1.5 sacks of his own. The Mustangs rank fourth in the NJCAA in rushing yards per game with an average of 272.8 yards on the ground through four contests. Jones leads the way for Monroe, averaging 141.7 rushing yards per game to go with three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Jalen Brown has 333 rushing yards through four games, as well as four rushing touchdowns and three passing scores. The Mustang defense continues to be a dominant force in the NJCAA. Monroe ranks first in the country in points allowed per game, giving up an average of just 7.3 points through four games. Monroe is also fourth in the nation, allowing just 60.0 rushing yards per game. Zouzoua has registered a team-high five sacks on the season. Valerius-Twyman leads with 7.5 tackles for loss. Melton and Rashon McNeil are tied with a team-high 27 tackles. Emmanual Appiah-Tahkyi has a team-high two interceptions, while Joshua Boyd has broken up six passes. The Mustangs will face their toughest test of the season to date on Saturday, Oct. 13, when they visit No. 6 Lackawanna College for a Northeast Football Conference matchup in Scranton, Pa. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.