Rochester, Mn-
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference has named the following student-athletes "Players-of-the-Week" in their respective roles for Week 7 in MCAC Football.
MCAC Eastern Division Offensive Player-of-the-Week:
Joseph Lane, quarterback for Rochester Community and Technical College led the Yellowjackets to a convincing 50-0 victory over Itasca Community College on Saturday. The freshman signal caller threw for 387 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Vikings. In contrast, Lane had only one interception and contributed 22 ground yards of his own on 13 carries, including a 17-yard run. His longest completion was 82 yard touchdown toss to Davon Limes in the 3rd quarter. RCTC will wrap up it's regular season with a non-Divisional contest at Ridgewater College at home on Saturday, October 21st. Kickoff in Rochester is set for 1:30pm. For his efforts, Lane is the MCAC Eastern Division Offensive Player-of-the-Week.
MCAC Eastern Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week:
Both Rochester CTC and Mesabi Range College had impressive defensive displays this past Saturday; the Yellowjackets shutout Itasca CC while the Noresman only conceded a first quarter field goal to the Ironmen. Stellar secondary play led both defensive units, and Rochester defensive back Anthony Harper and MRC defensive back Darryl Munoz both found their way to the football early and often. Munoz finished the day with two interceptions and 35 return yards, while Harper had three picks and 28 yards. The two athletes are co-leaders in the MCAC in interceptions, and both are in the top 10 nationally after seven weeks of play. Darryl Munoz and Anthony Harper are the MCAC Co-Defensive Player-of-the-Week.
MCAC Eastern Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week:
Antoine Akundu, a placekicker/punter for Central Lakes College, went 2-for-2 on field goals - both 39-yarders - and was 3-of-4 on PAT's on the day. One of his two kicks was as time expired at the half to run the Raider lead to 17-8 at the break. On kickoffs, Akundu accounted for over 300 total yards on six attempts. He also handled punting duties for Central Lakes during the 33-20 win for Raiders, which allowed them to clinch at least a share of the MCAC Eastern Division title and a chance to win it outright with a week 8 victory over M State next Saturday. Central Lakes will travel to Fergus Falls for a 1:30pm kickoff. The pair of 39 yarders are the second longest kicks of the season in the MCAC; Gregory Slade Jr. (NDSCS) hit a 42 yard effort earlier this fall for the Wildcats.
Other Notable Eastern Division Performances:
In RCTC's 50-0 shutout of Itasca, Brandon Perce had 16 total tackles, while teammate Jamel Smith tallied 13 stops. Punter Dylan DuMarce uncorked a 55 yard punt among his 6 kicks on the day.
Mesabi Range kicker Connor Cusick was a perfect 4-of-4 on PAT's in the Norseman 28-3 win over Vermilion.
Itasca punt returner Tyree Studivant had three punt returns for 51 total yards against RCTC, including a 27 yard scamper, while fellow Viking DJ Hickman had 107 yards on three kickoff returns, including a longest run of 65 yards.
Central Lakes running back Nuke Crowell had 164 yards on 23 rushes and a touchdown against Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, while Raider teammate Jordan Thompson hit the century mark with 100 yards receiving.
Fond du Lac student-athlete Christopher Fitzpatrick had 15 tackles (4 solo/11 assists) for the Thunder this past Saturday.
Dawayne Heard had two interceptions - and 74 return yards - for Vermilion Community College and VCC kicker Joseph Jaramillo hit is first field goal of the season from 26 yards out.
For more information on the 2017 Minnesota College Athletic Conference football season, be sure to bookmark these links:
MCAC Football Schedule/Results
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference website main page is: http://www.mcacsports.org/landing/index
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This release sponsored in part by Gopher Sport.
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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.