DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its 2015 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision All-Star Team, as voted on by representatives from the Division’s member institutions.
Keenan Reynolds from the United States Naval Academy claimed Offensive Player of the Year honors after a record-setting season, with Tyler Matakevitch of Temple University garnering Defensive Player of the Year. Penn State’s Saquon Barkley received Rookie of the Year accolades, while Temple’s Matt Rhule was named the Coach of the Year after guiding the Owls into the national rankings in 2015.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Keenan Reynolds – United States Naval Academy, Sr., Quarterback
With the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year honor, Reynolds adds to his growing awards collection. The versatile quarterback led the Midshipmen to a 10-2 record during the regular-season, posting 1,077 yards and seven touchdowns through the air to go along with 1,229 yards rushing and a remarkable 21 rushing touchdowns. The 2015 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year established a new NCAA record for most career rushing touchdowns in 2015 with 85, and also ranks among career leaders for most rushing yards by a quarterback. In addition to being named a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press, Reynolds finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting, which marks the highest finish by a player from a United States Service Academy since Navy’s Roger Staubach claimed the award in 1963.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tyler Matakevich – Temple University, Sr., Linebacker
A consensus All-American selection, Matakevitch was a defensive force in a resurgent season for the Owls. The linebacker was the only FBS player to lead his team in tackles in every contest in 2015, and finished the season as college football’s active leader in career tackles with 481. Matakevitch also posted career-highs in interceptions (5), sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (15.0). In addition to his All-American honors, the senior received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Saquon Barkley – Penn State University, Fr., Running Back
In his first season for the Nittany Lions, Barkley posted 1,007 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns to break a 22-year old program record for most rushing yards in a single-season by a freshman. The elusive back posted five games with 100 yards rushing or more, and also led the Big Ten conference with 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards. Barkely was recognized nationally for his efforts with a selection as a Freshman All-American by USA Today and the Sporting News.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Rhule – Temple University
Rhule guided the Owls to their best season in recent memory in 2015, leading Temple into the Top 25 for the first time since 1980. Under his stewardship, the Owls posted a 10-2 mark in the regular season and won the American Athletic Conference’s East Division. With a trip to the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl pending, Rhule has the Owls in position to record their first 11-win season in program history. Rhule was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
ALL-ECAC FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK:
Keenan Reynolds – United States Naval Academy
RUNNING BACK:
Jahad Thomas – Temple University
Arkeel Newsome – University of Connecticut
FULLBACK:
Chris Swain – United States Naval Academy
WIDE RECIEVER:
Robby Anderson – Temple University
Chris Godwin – Penn State University
TIGHT END:
Alec Bloom – University of Connecticut
OFFENSIVE LINE:
E.K. Binns – United States Naval Academy
Kyle Friend – Temple University
Eric Lofton – Temple University
Dion Dawkins – Temple University
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Will Anthony – United States Naval Academy
Nate D. Smith – Temple University
Carl Nassib – Penn State University
Austin Johnson – Penn State University
LINEBACKER:
Tyler Matakevich – Temple University
Jason Cabinda – Penn State University
Brandon Bell – Penn State University
DEFENSIVE BACK:
Jamar Summers – University of Connecticut
Alex Wells – Temple University
Sean Chandler – Temple University
Marcus Allen – Penn State University
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER:
Austin Grebe – United States Naval Academy
PUNTER:
Alex Starzyk – Temple University
RETURN SPECIALIST:
Dishan Romine – United States Naval Academy
HONORABLE MENTION:
Christian Hackenberg - Penn State University, QB
Noel Thomas – University of Connecticut, WR
Matt Ioannidis – Temple University, DL
Julian Campenni – University of Connecticut, DL
Anthony Zettel – Penn State University, DL
Micah Thomas – United States Naval Academy, LB
Graham Stewart – University of Connecticut, LB
Troy Reeder – Penn State University, LB
Grant Haley – Penn State University, DB
Bobby Puyol - University of Connecticut, K
Alex Barta – United States Naval Academy, P
ABOUT THE ECAC
In the 76 years since its inception, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has emerged as the nation's largest Conference. The ECAC has grown considerably from its charter membership of 58, boasting over 300 member schools in Divisions I, II and III, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In the 2015-16 academic year, the ECAC will host nearly 100 championships in 32 men’s and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 male and female athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).