ECAC Announces Football Players of the Month for September
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced the Football Players of the Month for September 2018.
Division II
Offensive Player of the Month
A.J. Long - Jr., QB, West Chester University
Long has West Chester University at 5-0 on the year and ranked 13th in the national coaches’ poll. He ranks in the Top 25 in all of Division II in eight different offensive categories. Long leads the PSAC in six of those categories as well, including pass efficiency (185.8), passing TDs (14) and points responsible for (114).
Defensive Player of the Month
Nate Barnes - So., LB, West Chester University
Nate Barnes is leading West Chester in tackles and is second on the team in sacks. He was named PSAC East defensive player of the week the first week of the season when West Chester beat Bentley on the road. Barnes posted seven tackles in that game, including 3.5 for a loss, and also recovered a fumble that led to a touchdown. He ranks 22nd in the country in tackles and 29th in Division II in sacks.
Special Teams Player of the Month
Brendan Paulison - Sr., Punter, West Chester University
Paulison was a preseason All-America selection as a punter. He currently leads the PSAC in punting and ranks sixth in all of Division II with his 45.1 yards per punt. He hit a career-long 67-yarder against Gannon earlier this year.
Rookie of the Month
Tayonte McKenzie - Fr., CB / Kick Returner, Lincoln University
Named CIAA Rookie of the Week for his performance vs. Clarion on September 15, McKenzie recorded 179 yards in six total kickoff returns with a long return of 51 yards. He also had six tackles in that game and had 107 yards on three returns vs. JCSU including a 46-yard return.
Division III – North
Offensive Player of the Month
Will Bellamy - So., QB, Union College
Bellamy was a two-time Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week for Union in the month of September. Union is currently 4-0 under Bellamy and receiving votes in the latest D3football.com National Poll. Entering the team's bye week, the first-year starter ranked sixth in D-III in touchdowns (13), fourth in passing yards (1231) and ninth in points responsible for (78). His 39 completions in a win over Coast Guard are the most in a game in school history.
Defensive Player of the Month
Cole Reed - Sr., LB, Alfred University
Reed, a senior captain on defense, leads the Saxons in tackles and interceptions. Alfred University's defense ranks third in the Empire 8, including third in rushing yards allowed (104.5 YPG). The Saxons defense has pulled in 10 interceptions in its four games, leading the Empire 8.
Special Teams Player of the Month
Devon Fink - Sr., Returner, Wilkes University
Fink is averaging 32.75 yards per kick return this season. The senior went for a season-long sprint of 70 yards in the season opener on September 1st against Hartwick.
Rookie of the Month
Andre Ross Jr. - Fr., WR, Union College
Ross was a three-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week and once named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for Union, which is 4-0 and receiving votes in the latest D3football.com National Poll. As of October 1st, ranked fourth in the NCAA overall in receiving touchdowns and fourth in Division III with 154.8 yards per game. The 16 receptions he had in his second collegiate game are the most by any NCAA receiver so far this year.
Division III – South
Offensive Player of the Month
Jagger Green - Sr., QB, FDU-Florham
As the MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Week, Green hasn’t thrown for less than 288 yards and two touchdowns in any game. A season-high 377 yards passing against Lycoming and matched his school-record with 6 touchdown passes against Albright, the first time FDU has been them in 11 tries. He has led FDU to a 4-1 mark, their best record since 1995.
Defensive Player of the Month
Isaiah Turner - Sr., LB, FDU-Florham
Turner has led the FDU defense this season, recording career-high's with 7.5 sacks and 2 interceptions in the month of September and a season-high 16 tackles and a career best three sacks against Lycoming.
Special Teams Player of the Month
Corterris Simpson - Jr., WR, Wesley University
Simpson leads the NJAC in punt returns with 421 yards, averaging 35.1 yards per return. As of Sept. 29, Simpson ranks second in the nation in punt returns (35.1) and fourth in punt return touchdowns (1).
Rookie of the Month
Parker Kilgore - Fr., LB, Grove City College
Kilgore has started all five games at linebacker this year for Grove City, starting three games at outside linebacker and two games at inside linebacker. He has 21 tackles and shares the team lead with 1.5 sacks.
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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