Offensive Player of the Week
Gregory Walker, Plymouth State
Graduate, Running Back, Boxford, Mass.

Walker tore up the NEC defense for 185 yards on just 13 carries, averaging 14.2 yard per carry with three touchdowns, as PSU topped the Pilgrims, 49-21. Walker had 119 yards and all three scores in the first quarter alone, as Plymouth State ran for more than 400 yards as a team. He scored on runs of 1, 14, and 40 yards.

Weekly Report 9/8

Defensive Player of the Week
Elijah Zaire McKnight, Fitchburg State
Graduate, Defensive Back, Tracy, Calif. 

McKnight totaled three solo tackles, two interceptions he returned for 32 yards and one pass break up in the Falcons’ 49-14 season-opening victory over the Bulldogs of Dean College on Friday. Helped the defense hold Dean to only 185 yards of total offense. 

Weekly Report 9/8

Special Teams Player of the Week
Connor McManus, UMass Dartmouth
Sophomore, Kicker, New Bedford, Mass.

McManus paced the Corsairs kicking effort in Saturday’s tough loss at Salve Regina. He put UMD on the board at 2:44 of the opening quarter, hitting a 22-yard field goal. McManus then added to the team’s total at 6:15 of the second, drilling home a 37-yard field goal. Also added a PAT following the Corsairs score in the third. In total, McManus recorded five punts for 157 yards, averaging 31.4 yards per punt. He also had four kickoffs for 196 yards.

Weekly Report 9/8

Rookie of the Week
Manny Mengata, Westfield State
First Year, Running Back, Tewksbury, Mass.

Mengata ran for 113 yards on 25 carries in his collegiate debut against Castleton State, a game shortened by 9:42 due to thunderstorms.