Pictured Right: Former All-NEFC Quarterback Tony Tokarz and Graham Asum at New England Writers Captains and Awards Banquet
Cape Cod, MA --- Worcester State senior return specialist Graham Asum (Marlboro, MA) has received a nod to the Division II/III New England Writers All-Star team as announced by coordinator Roger Crosley.
The full team will be honored at the New England Football Writers Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, December 6, at the Montvale Plaza, in Stoneham, MA.
Asum becomes the first Lancer student-athlete in seven seasons to be honored with the recognized with the prestigious accolade.
In his final season as the teams leadoff kick returner, Asum had one of the best kickoff return yardage seasons in Division III New England history as he brought back 30 returns for a regional record 952 yards to go with three touchdowns.
His season highlights include a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help spark at 28-21 victory over crosstown rival WPI and in the final week of the regular season, Asum brought back eight returns for an NCAA Division III single-game record 333 yards in a setback against Bogan Division Champion Framingham State to earn ECAC Northeast Player of the Week accolades.
In addition to eclipsing the 1992 New England Division III single-season mark that was held by Larry Overby of Western Connecticut (767 yards), Asum also broke the NEFC career mark of 2,098 yards, which was previously held by Bryan Ryder of Curry (1,607 yards – 1988-91).
As of this past week, Asum had the best kickoff return average in Division III with 31.7 yards per return and he also has the second-highest yardage total in the nation. He is the only kick returner in Division III with three kick returns for touchdowns and one of five across all four divisions of NCAA football.
Among active yardage leaders in Division III, Asum's career total is fourth, just 174 yards off the current leader, and four of his six career touchdowns on kickoffs have been from 90-yards or more.
Asum becomes the 10th Worcester State player to be honored on the Division II/III Writers All-New England team and the first since Tom Gabriel received the nod in 2005. Rob Palumbo was also recognized for his efforts in 1996 as an All-New England return specialist.
Under the direction of 30th year head coach Brien Cullen, Worcester State finished with their second consecutive winning season with a final mark of 6-4 and 4-3 in the NEFC Bogan Division. Next year the Lancers will leave the NEFC and play in the newly formed MASCAC football conference.