Oct. 8, 2012
Patriot League Weekly Awards | CFPA Weekly Awards | The Sports Network Weekly Awards
Bronx, N.Y. -
For the third time this season, Fordham senior Patrick Murray (Mahwah, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) was named National Placekicker Player of the Week, earning the honor from both The Sports Network and the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA). He was also honored by the Patriot League, being named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week while teammate Michael Martin (Arlington, Tex./Juan Seguin) was named the league's Defensive Player of the Week.
In a 38-31 win over Georgetown on Saturday, Murray tied his career-high, connecting on three field goals, two from more than 40 yards. His first three-pointer was from 30 yards, giving the Rams a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter. He then booted a 44-yarder in the second quarter and a 43-yarder as time expired in the first half to help the Rams take a 16-10 lead at the intermission.
Murray's exploits weren't limited to field goals as he also punted eight times for 382 yards, an average of 47.8 yards/punt, hit all three of his PATs and sent five of his seven kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. His final punt came with his heels on the Fordham goal line with just under a minute left and covered 59 yards in the air to set Georgetown back to its own 31.
On the year, Murray is 12-of-14 in field goal attempts, with three field goals of 50 yards or longer. He is also averaging 46.2 yards/punt and has 25 touch backs on 38 kickoffs. He leads the Patriot League in field goals/game, punting average, and scoring average for kickers while on the NCAA FCS level, he is tied for first in field goals/game, is third in punting average and 18th in scoring.
Murray wasn't alone in earning weekly honors as Martin, a senior linebacker was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week and sophomore tight end
Dan Light (Sutton, Mass./St. John's) was named Honorable Mention Tight End Performer of the Week by the CFPA.
Martin recorded a career-high 18 tackles against Georgetown, including 0.5 for loss, and he recovered a fumble. He surpassed his previous career-high in tackles of 15 set against Lehigh last fall.
On the year, Martin leads the Rams with 65 total tackles, 39 solo, including seven for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also has three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups. He is ranked second in the Patriot League, and tied for 14th in the NCAA FCS, in tackles/game (10.8) while he is third in the league in tackles for loss and tied for fifth in sacks.
Light made six catches for 53 yards in the win on Saturday. The six catches is a career-high for Light, who recorded five receptions in a game twice, the last time coming at Lehigh on September 29th, while he ties his career-best with 53 receiving yards.
On the year, Light has 18 catches for 178 yards.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, October 13th, as they travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, to face the University of Cincinnati Bearcats of the BIG EAST in Nippert Stadium at 7:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised live by ESPN3.
