Week 6 NJAC Football Weekly Honors Announced

PITMAN — The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its weekly football honors for the week ending October 13th.

Offensive Player of the Week
ANDRE MATTHEWS • Salisbury University
Junior • Slot Receiver • Salisbury, MD/Wicomico


Matthews is the third Salisbury player to earn NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season after the Sea Gulls defeated William Paterson 63-0. Matthews rushed for 64 yards on 11 carries and set a school record by scoring five rushing touchdowns in the first half alone.





DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JASON BLANKS • Rowan University
Senior • Defensive Back • Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken


Blanks is the second pro this season to earn NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was a turning point for Rowan’s defense in the 36-22 win over TCNJ. Blanks recorded six total tackles – including four solo stops – but his biggest contributions came in the form of turnovers. He forced and recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass, with both plays coming on back-to-back drives in the first quarter and leading directly to Rowan’s first points.





SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TOMMIE LEE PIERSON • Kean University
Junior • Linebacker • East Rutherford, NJ/Becton Regional


Pierson receives NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his breakthrough play on special teams in Kean’s 16-13 win over Montclair State. With less than a minute left and as Montclair State attempted a game-winning PAT, Pierson grabbed a blocked kick and returned it 88 yards for two scores, extending Kean’s lead to 16-13. Kean was then able to kneel out until the end after recovering the on-side kick attempt. On defense, Pierson had 11 tackles, a sack for 11 yards and two QB hurries.