Center Valley, PA – Colgate junior quarterback Gavin McCarney and Georgetown senior linebacker Robert McCabe were named the Patriot League offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, on Tuesday.
McCarney, a Walter Payton Award finalist, has been one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the FCS this season. The junior has passed for 2,253 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 62 percent accuracy. He also has rushed for 1,309 yards and 22 touchdowns heading into Colgate's playoff game on Saturday.
McCabe, another contender for a national honor, the Buck Buchanan Award, leads the FCS in tackles with 159. He finished his season with 28 more tackles than any other player, with 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He finished his career as Georgetown's career leader in tackles with 407.
Both players were All-Patriot first-team selections.
Other Patriot honors went to Colgate's Dick Biddle for coach of the year, and Lafayette wide receiver/return specialist Jamel Smith, who became the school's second straight player to earn the league's rookie of the year honor. Biddle is also a Eddie Robinson Award candidate, which honors the FCS' coach of the year.
Colgate senior Chris Looney was selected as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Lehigh and Fordham led the way on the All-Patriot team, each receiving 11 spots. Fordham's Patrick Murray earned first-team honors as a place-kicker and punter.
All-Patriot League First Team (as voted on by the head coaches)
OFFENSE
QB - Gavin McCarney, Colgate
RB - Carlton Koonce, Fordham
RB - Jordan McCord, Colgate
FB/HB - Travis Friend, Bucknell
FB/HB - Ed Pavalko, Colgate
WR - Mark Ross, Lafayette
WR - Ryan Spadola, Lehigh
WR - Brian Wetzel, Fordham
TE - Dan Light, Fordham
OL - Craig Capodiferro, Colgate
OL - Brian Crockett, Colgate
OL - Lloyd Morrison, Fordham
OL - Ryan Risch, Colgate
OL - Mike Vuono, Lehigh
PK - Patrick Murray, Fordham
RS - Kalif Raymond, Holy Cross
DEFENSE
DL - Tom Bianchi, Lehigh
DL - Sajjad Changani, Lehigh
DL - Rick Lyster, Lafayette
DL - Samuel Oyekoya, Bucknell
LB - Billy Boyko, Lehigh
LB - Michael Martin, Fordham
LB - Robert McCabe, Georgetown
LB - Dustin Wharton, Georgetown
DB - Gabe Johnson, Lehigh
DB - Jeremy Moore, Georgetown
DB - Billy O'Brien, Lehigh
DB - Matthew Steinbeck, Bucknell
P - Patrick Murray, Fordham
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