Sept. 3, 2012
Patriot League Weekly Awards | CFPA Weekly Awards | College Sports Madness Weekly Awards
Bronx, N.Y. -
Entering the 2012 season, Fordham senior Patrick Murray (Mahwah, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) was named a preseason All-American at punter by every publication that releases such a team. But on opening day, Murray showed that he is more than a punter, earning National Placekicker Player of the Week honors from College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) as well as Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
In a 55-0 win over Lock Haven on Jack Coffey Field to open the 2012 season on Thursday, Murray broke the Fordham and Patriot League field goal record, connecting on a 52-yarder in the third quarter. He broke the former league record of 51 yards, first set by Lehigh's Mac Douglas in 2003 and matched by Rick Ziska of Lafayette in 2005, and he surpassed the former school record of 50 yards, set by Kevin Clyne in 1982.
In the Lock Haven game, Murray connected on both of his field goal attempts (the other was a 20-yarder), and all seven of his PATs. He also punted once for 50 yards and kicked off ten times for 641 yards, sending six of his ten kickoffs into the end zone for a touchback.
This is Murray's second career Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week award, the first since 2009 (Fordham student-athletes had been ineligible for Patriot League weekly awards the past two seasons).
Murray isn't alone in earning weekly honors as sophomore quarterback
Michael Nebrich (Burke, Va./Lake Braddock Secondary) was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.
Nebrich made his Fordham debut count, scoring the first time he touched the ball, one of three touchdowns for him on the night. He finished the game with 58 rushing yards on ten carries with the three scores and completed four of eight passes for 36 yards and one touchdown.
Senior running back Carlton Koonce and senior linebacker Michael Martin were also recognized by the Patriot League as Honorable Mention weekly selections. Koonce turned in the first 100-yard rushing game of his career, gaining 146 yards on 19 carries (7.7 yards/rush) and he also caught two passes for six yards. Martin led the Fordham defense, recording a game-high nine tackles, six solo, including two for loss and one sack. He also registered one pass breakup.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, September 8th, as they travel to the Philadelphia area to face Villanova University at 6:00 p.m.
Fordham-Lock Haven Highlights (Murray's 52-yard field goal is at 2:20 and his post game comments are at 4:10)
