Worcester, MA --- Seniors Mac Hanlon (Littleton, MA - RG) and Tim Laramee (Shrewsbury, MA – RT) along with sophomore classmates Chris Burley (Oxford, MA – LT), Ryan Filliger (Haverhill, MA – LG) and Zachary Pappas (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian – C) have each earned the nod to the D3football.com Team of the Week for their roles on the offensive line in helping lead Worcester State to a 64-63 triumph over Mass Maritime this past Saturday.
The line helped the Lancers rally from an early 27-point deficit, helped set school records for first downs (35), passing yardage (526), pass completions (40) and passing touchdowns (7) without yielding a sack.
In addition, the final tally of total offensive yardage becomes the second-highest total in program history (662) and 64 points is just two shy of the mark set in 1996 against Fitchburg State. Out of 109 possible plays, the line also allowed just two tackles for a loss.
The NCAA Division III record for combined first downs (214) was also broken in their win over the Buccaneers. They reset the previous mark that had been set by Gustavus Adolphus and Bethel on November 2, 1985.
Amazingly, the new mark for passing offense in one game is 99 yards better than the total (427) that junior quarterback Kevin Bumpus (Bridgewater, MA) put up all by himself in the opener in a 33-6 win over Anna Maria on September 7.
After the first four games of the season, the Blue and Gold top the nation in passing offense (394.3 YPG) and are fourth in New England (40th Division III) in total offense (455.5 YPG). WSU also leads the nine-team MASCAC in total third downs at a 44 percent clip (35-for-79).
This marks the first-ever Team of the Week honor for the offensive line in team history as they join two other honorees this season on the D3football.com national honor roll that include tight end Casey Hippert (September 18 – vs. WPI) and linebacker Adam Straughn (September 18 – vs. WPI).
The blocking unit was the lone representative on the D3football.com Team of the Week from New England.
Worcester State, currently ranked ninth in the latest Division III New England Football Coaches/SID Poll, will play Fitchburg State on October 12 after this week's bye.
D3football.com Team of the Week
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