PITMAN --- The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its football weekly honors for the week ending Nov. 2.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CONNOR BARRY • Christopher Newport University
Junior • Quarterback • Vienna, VA/James Madison
Barry earns his fifth NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season after he orchestrated another offensive masterpiece in Christopher Newport's 49-42 victory over Montclair State. He completed 15 of 19 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns while adding a 2-yard rushing score. The junior signal-caller has led the nation in pass efficiency the last five weeks and pushed his school single-season record to 30 touchdown passes with just two interceptions, helping the Captains improve to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the NJAC.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JAMESON SESSA • The College of New Jersey
Senior • Defensive End • Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell
Sessa collects his second consecutive NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honor. He dominated the line of scrimmage in Saturday's 44-30 loss to Rowan, recording two sacks among three tackles for loss totaling 26 yards. The senior defensive end finished with seven total tackles and added a pass break-up, consistently disrupting the Profs' offensive rhythm throughout the conference matchup. Sessa is currently second in the NJAC in conference-only tackles for loss (7.0) and conference-only sacks (3.5).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ALBERT D'ALESSANDRO III • The College of New Jersey
Sophomore • Defensive Back • Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial
D'Alessandro becomes the second Lion this season to earn NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades. He electrified the home crowd by returning the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against Rowan on Saturday, marking TCNJ's first kick return score since 2012. The sophomore also started at defensive back and contributed three tackles in the Lions' 44-30 loss to the Profs.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
DREVYON THARRINGTON • Christopher Newport University
Freshman • Running Back • Norfolk, VA/Granby
Tharrington picks up his third NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week honor after he led the Captains' ground attack with 73 yards on 10 carries while adding three receptions for 55 yards in CNU's 49-42 victory over Montclair State. The freshman running back averaged 7.3 yards per carry and was entrusted with the ball during the Captains' final possession, picking up two crucial first downs that allowed CNU to drain the clock and preserve the seven-point victory.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
XAVIER MCBRIDE • Rowan University
Freshman • Linebacker • Millville, NJ/Millville
McBride is the third Prof this season to earn NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Week honors. He tallied a season-best 10 tackles while adding a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss in Rowan's 44-30 NJAC road victory at The College of New Jersey. The freshman linebacker's 10-yard sack came on a critical 3rd-and-10 in the second quarter, forcing a TCNJ punt and helping the Profs maintain control of the conference matchup.