Boston, MA --- Senior linebacker Tyler Russell (Princeton, MA) highlighted eight New England Football Conference (NEFC) selections by the leagues eight head coaches as he was named this year's Defensive Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
The Lancers had six first-team nods which included Russell, senior David Harris (Milford, MA), juniors Kenny Russell (Bedford, MA) and Joe Sweet (Walpole, MA), sophomore Graham Asum (Marlboro, MA) and freshman Erich Perfetti (Shrewsbury, MA). Third-year teammates Marcus Price (Worcester, MA/Doherty) and Robert Johnson III (Leicester, MA) were the two second-team honorees.
Russell is Worcester State's first major award winner since Danny Harris was named the NEFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and eight selections is the most for WSU since 2004.
Russell, a tri-captain who was on last year's second team, had a season to remember as he eclipsed the school record for tackles in a season with 167 (92 solo) as he amassed 12.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Through the last week of the regular season, Russell is first in the NCAA Division III in solo tackles, second in both total tackles and average tackles. His tackles for a loss were also tied for eighth in the NEFC rankings.
Asum, in his first-year starting at cornerback, led the NEFC with six interceptions with six for 115 yards. He recorded five pass deflections to tie for sixth in the conference in total passes defended (11). Asum had two defensive touchdowns this season as he had an interception returned for a touchdown in a victory against Westfield State and a fumble returned for a score in a win versus Fitchburg State. The Lancers as a team are currently tied with six other teams for 12th nationally with 18 interceptions.
Asum was also an outstanding kick-returner as he eclipsed the single season record for kick return yards in a season with 554 while he returned back two for scores. In last week's 42-21 setback to Framingham State his 90-yard return for a touchdown was the second-longest in program history.
Sweet was a force on the defensive line as he had a breakout season for the Lancers. The tri-captain was second on the team in tackles with 70 while he also finished with 7.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks. His tackling ranked 27th overall in the NEFC as it was the fourth-highest for a defensive lineman while his sacks were tied for 10th in the conference.
Russell, a second-team honoree in 2008, transferred in from Fitchburg State after sitting last year out with an injury. Russell led the receiving corps as he finished with 53 receptions for 691 yards and eight touchdowns. With the ninth-highest receiving yard total put up in the program record book, he ranked fourth in the conference in receiving yards per game (69.1) and fifth in receptions per game (5.3) as he averaged 13 yards per catch.
Perfetti had a remarkable first-year campaign as the squad's placekicker. Perfetti led the team in scoring with 50 points as he was 9-for-12 in field goal opportunities and 23-for-24 on PATs. Perfetti was most impressive from long range as he made five of seven field goals from 30-39 yards and he also connected for a 44-yard field goal in a win against Coast Guard.
Perfetti was third in the NEFC in kick scoring while his nine field goals were the second-most made this season. In his first season he leaps into seventh-place on the all-time kick scoring list.
Harris and Johnson were each recognized for their contributions on the offensive line this season. In 2009, the Lancers were ninth in the NEFC in passing yardage (151 yards per game), 10th in rushing average (151) and at the bottom of the standings in 15th in total offense (293.). In this year's campaign, Worcester State can boast better totals in each category as they were third in total offense (336), fifth in passing yardage (170) and seventh in rushing (165) through the end of the regular season.
Harris, a tri-captain, was also a threat in the receiving game as he hauled in seven passes for 77 yards and one touchdown.
Price put up the fourth-highest rushing total in school history with 1,056 yards and seven touchdowns. Price ranked fourth in the NEFC in total yards and fifth in average rushing (105 ypg). He now sits in sixth place all-time with 1,698 yards and nine scores.
Worcester State finished the season at 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the NEFC Bogan Division under the direction of 28th year head coach Brien Cullen. The Blue and Gold improved their win total by four after they went 1-9 a season ago.