Rochester, MN
In a wild weekend of Minnesota College Athletic Conference football, fans, families and followers saw several close contests, including a pair of overtime affairs. In addition, a handful of teams made strong statements about their teams in the last week of play before Divisional contests start in week three. The best of many outstanding performances around the MCAC have been tabbed as 'Players-of-the-Week' for the week ending Sunday, September 8.
(action photo courtesy of Mesabi Daily News)
For MCAC statistical leaders, go to: http://www.mcacsports.org/sports/fball/2018-19/leaders
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MCAC Eastern Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week Soph. / Virginia, MN Kicker/Punter
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Connor Cusick made his kicks when they counted most on Saturday, helping lead his Mesabi Range College team against a resurgent Minnesota West BlueJay squad. Cusick hit a field goal to tie the game at 25 apiece with Minnesota West in the fourth quarter and then hit the game winner in overtime to push Mesabi Range to 2-0 overall on the season. For the game Cusick was 2-for-2 on PAT's and made both his field goal attempts. He averaged over 50 yards on his five kickoffs against MnWest and punted six times for a net 230 yards and one kick placed inside the 20 yard line. Cusick and his Norsemen teammates will open up Eastern Division play on Saturday, September 15 at Itasca Community College. Kickoff is set for noon in Grand Rapids.
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MCAC Eastern Division Offensive Player-of-the-Week Fr. / Pensacola, FL Running Back /Kick Returner
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FDLTCC turned some heads on Saturday with a 33-26 road win at Northland Community & Technical College, who were receiving votes in the NJCAA National Top 20 poll Trebian Suggs proved to be a key part of the Thunder upset, scoring both rushing and receiving touchdowns, as well as returning a Pioneer punt 75 yards for a score on a wild day in Thief River Falls. Overall, Suggs had 83 yards on five catches, with a longest reception of 77 yards. He carried nine times total for the Thunder and handled a kickoff return as well. FDL's 14 fourth quarter points allowed them to slip past NCTC and move to 2-0 on the 2018 season. After traveling in their first two games of the fall, FDLTCC will open up Eastern Division play on Saturday, September 15 at home when they take on Rochester Community & Technical College at Duluth East High School. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm. |
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MCAC Eastern Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week Fr. / Hermitage, TN Linebacker
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Central Lakes College found itself in a defensive clash with North Dakota State College of Science on Saturday, in a overtime contest that ultimately fell to the Wildcats, 20-14. CLC Raider Gabriel 'Bubba' Magalei was one of defensive standouts who kept the game close for his team, as he was credited for eight tackles, including being a part of a 19 yards worth of tackle-for-loss work on the day. He also picked up a pass break-up and forced a fumble for Central Lakes. Magalei and his Raider teammates will begin defense of their 2017 Eastern Division championship when they at Vermilion on Saturday, September 15 at 1:30pm. |
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Eastern Division Notable Performances:
Central Lakes Marnez Trotter had an interception, a pass break-up and a solo tackle for CLC. while Gabriel 'Bubba' Magalei led the Raiders with 8 solo tackles, including three stops behind the line of scrimmage. Nyassinu Crowell and Ridge Reed ran for 69 and 54 yards respectively, on 18 combined carries.
Quarterback John Guerra was 12-of-21 with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Kevin Shuler hit the 100-yard mark on just eight carries for the Norsemen. Sam Okuayinonu tallied 8 tackles, including one and a half sacks against the BlueJays. Devan Burns had five solo stops, with two being behind the line of scrimmage.
Mitchell Miller and Keane Hoggard combined for over 200 yards passing and three touchdowns for the Vikings, while Terrence Nash had 131 yards on seven carries. Michael Dunn made three catches for Itasca, with a longest haul of 53 yards. Defensively, ICC was paced by Sam Moberg with seven tackles and Noah Gregg with six stops. Joshua Herbert returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown.
Quarterback Bryor Parisein threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns to lead FDLTCC past Northland on Saturday. Deandre Moody had 134 yards receiving, while Rayshaad Roddy was credited with five solo tackles, including a quarterback sack. La Darian McAllister had seven catches for 82 yards as well on the day.
Rochester CTC Dylan DuMarce punted 10 times against DCB for over 350 yards, dropping two of his kicks inside the 'Jacks 20 yard line. Running back Greg Henry ran for 138 total yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Cazz Martin hauled in four catches for 123 yards. Defensively, Larry Lecount led all players with 12 tackles.
Vermillion Community College had Oscar Lopez with three catches for a total of 81 yards on Saturday, averaging 27.0 yards a grab. Jaleel Hansberry scored a rushing touchdown and accumulated 48 yards, averaging 8.0 yards a touch. Lipheteson Pierre and Hayden Leach both picked up six tackles for the Ironmen. |
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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.