PITMAN --- The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its football weekly honors for the week ending Oct. 12.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
SYRUS MCGOWAN • Salisbury University
Sophomore • Quarterback • Chestertown, MD/Queen Anne’s
McGowan was selected NJAC Offensive Player of the Week after dominating on the ground in Salisbury's 38-24 Homecoming win over Kean. The sophomore quarterback rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, averaging 13 yards per attempt. His performance included a 71-yard touchdown run. McGowan currently averages 72.0 rushing yards per game to rank second in the NJAC.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ALEX BUCHWALD • Montclair State University
Fifth Year • Linebacker • Wantage, NJ/High Point
Buchwald was named NJAC Defensive Player of the Week after leading Montclair State's defensive effort against Rowan. The fifth-year linebacker recorded nine total tackles, including a team-high five solo stops, and registered two sacks totaling 21 yards. One of his sacks resulted in a forced fumble that turned into a crucial turnover for the Red Hawks in their battle against the Profs. Buchwald leads the NJAC in tackles per game (9.0) and is second with 2.5 sacks this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JAKE WARE • The College of New Jersey
Freshman • Punter • Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown
Ware earned NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after a dominant punting performance in TCNJ's 42-0 shutout of William Paterson. The freshman averaged an elite 51.3 yards on three punts, with two traveling over 50 yards and two pinned inside the 20-yard line. His 61-yard bomb backed the Pioneers up inside their own 5-yard line, drastically shifting field position in favor of the Lions' defense. He currently ranks second in the NJAC with a 42.7 yard per punt average and has a conference-leading six punts of 50+ yards.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
ANTHONY ANDERSON JR. • Vermont State University-Castleton
Freshman • Running Back • Thomasville, GA/Thomasville High School
Anderson Jr. was tabbed NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week after an electrifying performance against nationally ranked Christopher Newport. The first-year running back scored Castleton's only touchdown on a spectacular 92-yard rushing score, the first of his collegiate career. Anderson Jr. finished with 104 yards on just five carries, averaging an impressive 20.8 yards per attempt, and also hauled in one reception for 10 yards.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
CHIMMY OZOKPOR • The College of New Jersey
Freshman • Linebacker • Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough
Ozokpor was chosen NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Week for the second straight week after a big game in TCNJ's 42-0 blanking of William Paterson. The freshman linebacker recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, one of two defensive scores for the Lions on the afternoon. Ozokpor also notched his first career sack, recording a tackle for loss of four yards in the strong defensive performance.