PITMAN—Frostburg State University quarterback Connor Cox and Montclair State University senior linebacker Mauro Altamura have been selected as the NJAC Offensive and Sam Mills Defensive Football Players of the Year respectively for the 2018 season. In total, 97 student-athletes garnered NJAC all-conference recognition in the sport of football in 2018. All selections were made by a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches.
A two-time first team NJAC all-conference selection, Cox currently leads the NJAC in pass efficiency (188.7) while also ranking second in total offense (231.6 yards per game). A two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honoree this season, he also currently ranks third in the NJAC in passing yards per game (209.7). The honor marks the second major award of Cox’s career, as he previously was named NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year following his freshman season of 2015.
A two-time NJAC all-conference honoree, Altamura currently leads all NJAC defenders in tackles for a loss (18.0). A two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection this season, Altamura also currently ranks third in the NJAC in total tackles (9.2 per game) and 16th in total sacks (4.0).
Wesley College junior punt returner Corterris Simpson was selected as the NJAC Special Teams Player of the Year. A Week 5 NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree this season, he currently leads the NJAC in punt return average (29.0). Simpson also currently ranks fifth in the conference in all-purpose yards per game (100.4).
The College of New Jersey’s freshman quarterback Dave Jachera was selected as the NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year. A four-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, he currently ranks sixth in the NJAC in total offense (119.8 yards per game). Jachera also currently ranks in the NJAC Top 15 in passing yards (78.6 per game), pass efficiency (85.0) and rushing (41.2 yards per game).
Kean University freshman defensive back Anthony Bassani was the recipient of the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. A two-time NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Week selection, he currently ranks tied for sixth in the NJAC in total interceptions (4). Bassani, who played in all 10 games as a rookie for the Cougar defense, wrapped up his first collegiate season with 38 tackles, including 7.0 tackles for a loss and two fumble recoveries.
Frostburg State University head coach DeLane Fitzgerald was selected as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers for the second time in the past three seasons. So far in 2018, Fitzgerald has guided the Bobcats to a 9-0 overall record and the outright NJAC championship with a perfect 8-0 mark in league play. Now in his fifth season at the helm of the Frostburg State program, Fitzgerald has guided the Bobcats to an overall record of 40-13, while his career collegiate coaching record stands at 64-43.