ECAC Announces Football Players of the Week for Week Ending Oct. 1

10/4/2017 1:07:39 PM

DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced the Football Players of the Week for the week ending Oct. 1.

DIVISION II
Offensive Player of the Week
Ryan McCarthy – SO, RB, University of New Haven

McCarthy set a career-high with 140 rushing yards in a 31-17 win over Southern Connecticut. The sophomore running back carried the ball 24 times, one of which went for 29 yards while he also scored one touchdown. The sophomore also had one reception for 12 yards.

Defensive Player of the Week
B’Jon Couther – JR, DB, Pace University

Couther was a key factor in Pace's 20-17 win over Bentley. The California native forced a pair of fumbles, grabbed an interception and finished with a game-high nine tackles (eight solo). Couther's interception came in the end zone as Bentley threatened to score from the seven-yard line in the second quarter. His forced fumble that was recovered by Pace came in the third quarter.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Nick Fountis – JR, P, Pace University

Highlighted by a career-high 70-yarder, Fountis averaged a season-best 46 yards on four punts in Pace's 20-17 win over Bentley. He was also part of a key fake punt that extended the Setters' first scoring drive of the game. Facing a fourth-and-eight from the Falcons' 40-yard line, the former quarterback connected on a 15-yard pass to David Grant. Five plays later, the Setters tied the game, 7-7.

Rookie of the Week
Rasheem James – R-FR, WR, West Chester University

James provided six catches for 142 yards and a touchdown to help down Kutztown, 27-21. The redshirt-freshman played a crucial role, catching a pass over the middle on a 3rd-and-10 play and racing 85 yards for a score that built West Chester's 21-6 advantage with just 3:30 left in the third quarter.

DIVISION III - North
Offensive Player of the Week
John Smith – SR, RB, Husson University

Smith rushed for a career-high and school record 301 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries (7.7 ypc), as Husson ran past Endicott, 28-7. The senior became the first player in program history and the first DIII player in 2017 to eclipse the 300-yard mark in a game. Smith broke loose for scoring runs of 75 and 11 yards, and also had a 10-yard reception giving him a single-game school record 311 all-purpose yards.

Defensive Player of the Week
Vincent DiCaterino – JR, DE, Union College

DiCaterino had his second three sack game of the season, as Union defeated Morrisville State, 28-27. The three sacks combined for a total loss of 20 yards. The junior also had seven tackles, six primary, and a forced fumble.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Griffin Beal – SO, WR, Union College

Beal accounted for 199 all-purpose yards in Union's 28-27 win at Morrisville State, the fourth-straight win for the Dutchmen. He had four catches for 66 yards and a TD and three kick returns for 133 yards. The sophomore caught a 33-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter before his 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter gave Union a 28-21 lead. His kickoff return is the longest in the Liberty League in 2017 and is tied for seventh-longest in NCAA Div. III this season. Beal is one of only 52 players in all four NCAA divisions (FBC, FCS, II, III) to have a kickoff return of 95 or more yards this season.

Rookie of the Week
Wahid Nabl – FR, QB, Ithaca College
Nabi led the Bombers to a 24-21 victory over Hobart with 343 yards on 29-of-45 passing and a touchdown. The rookie eclipsed 300 yards passing for the second-straight game. He also ran the ball nine times for 28 yards.

DIVISION III – South
Offensive Player of the Week
Dan Williams – SR, QB, Stevenson University

Williams was responsible for Stevenson’s first five touchdowns in a 65-7 win over Misericordia. Williams, whose day ended in the third quarter, threw for 396 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. His 396 passing yards set a new single-game program record. The senior completed 70 percent (26-for-37) of his passes in the victory.

Defensive Player of the Week
Isaiah Baylor – SR, DE, Albright College

Baylor was instrumental for the Lions’ defense in a 34-31 come-from-behind victory at King’s. The senior finished the game with 12 tackles (nine solo), five tackles for loss (20 yards), three sacks (14 yards), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery that he returned 10 yards for a touchdown. Baylor picked up the loose ball late in the second quarter, trailing 17-0, to get the Lions on the board. The senior’s final sack came on the last play of the game when King’s was looking for a Hail Mary to win.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Kevin Goetz – JR, K-P, Albright College

The junior made two fourth quarter field goals, including the game-winning field goal in the final minute of the game to complete the come-from-behind 34-31 win at King’s. The Lions were trailing 31-28 with 4:02 remaining when he tied the game before kicking the game-winner with 58 seconds remaining. Both kicks were from 32 yards out.

Rookie of the Week
Ian Gould – FR, K, Stevenson University

Gould totaled 17 points in a 65-7 win over Misericordia on Saturday. He finished 8-8 on PAT tries and connected on all three field goal attempts from 39, 26 and 33 yards.

ABOUT THE ECAC
Established in 1938, the ECAC is the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. The ECAC hosts numerous championships in men's and women's sports across Divisions I, II and III, offering opportunities for thousands of student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.

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