Nov. 30, 2009
Bronx, N.Y. -
While most Fordham football fans were enjoying a long Thanksgiving Weekend, three members of the football program were busy representing the school at the 2009 East Coast Bowl Game in Petersburg, Virginia. Senior linebacker James Crockett (Maple Heights, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel), senior wide receiver Asa Lucas (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) and senior defensive lineman Darzell Wright (Riverdale, Ill/Mount Carmel) appeared in the annual contest, becoming the first Fordham football players to play in the all-star game.
Playing for the North team, all three had a hand in squad's 27-21 victory over the South on Cameron Field. Crockett led the way with two solo tackles and an interception that he returned for 20 yards, while Wright finished with a tackle. Lucas contributed on offense with two catches for eleven yards.
Crockett, a two-year captain for the Rams, was second on the 2009 squad with 74 total tackles, 52 solo, including seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two pass deflections. He also had an interception and recovered two fumbles.
Over his Fordham career, Crockett, who was named Second Team All-Patriot League in 2007 and 2008, registered 229 total tackles, 144 solo, including 21 for loss and six sacks. He also had five career interceptions and 12 pass deflections.
Lucas was Fordham's third leading receiver in 2009, catching 42 passes for 668 yards and two scores this fall. Against Cornell on October 17th, he hauled in a 98-yard scoring strike from John Skelton, setting a school mark for longest passing play.
Over his career, Lucas has 1,985 receiving yards, moving him ahead of Steve Porco (who accumulated 1,866 career receiving yards between 2001-04) and into fourth place on the Fordham all-time list. He recorded over 100 receiving yards six times in his career and closed out his career fifth on the Fordham career reception list with 128.
Wright, a 2009 team captain, had 32 total tackles for the Rams this year, 10 solo, including 5.5 for loss and one sack in eight games. Over his career, he accumulated 78 total tackles in 38 games, 35 solo, including 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
The East Coast Bowl is an annual college football All-Star game that features the most elite Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA college football players from across the Mid-Atlantic region. The game is held every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving at Cameron Field in Petersburg, Virginia, and is sponsored by the City of Petersburg and the National Football Foundation. As mentioned in the mission statement, all proceeds derived from the game are used to award scholarships to high school students from the Tri-Cities area that intend on playing football at a Division II or III institution.
The weekend started for the Rams on Wednesday when they reported to the host hotel, were measured and given a Wonderlic test.
On Thanksgiving day, the players were tested at the Sports Center of Richmond (SCOR) in the morning followed by the installation of plays and community visits in the afternoon. Friday was a practice day, complete with team photos, followed by game day on Saturday.
2009 East Coast Bowl Game Final Stats.
