Blue Devil Football Places Six Representatives on All-Northeast Conference Teams

Central Connecticut had six selections on the All-Northeast Conference teams, as announced this afternoon by the league. Junior Ray Saunders and sophomore Alondre Rush were both named first team honorees, while senior captain Mike Cooke, senior Ernie Greywacz, junior James Mallory and sophomore Dominique Rose all represented the Blue Devils on the second team. Greywacz, a first team selection last season, was the only repeat pick. Central Connecticut finished the season at 7-4, including 4-3 in NEC play.

Saunders finished his junior campaign with 48 tackles. He had 13 tackles for loss, including seven sacks. The Temple Hills, MD native led the team in both categories and had the most total sacks in the conference. Saunders also totaled a league-best four forced fumbles. He was named the NEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 17. He forced two fumbles and had eight tackles, including a sack, in a 49-14 win over Sacred Heart.

Rush, meanwhile, ranked second on the team with 70 tackles. He added two interceptions, three pass break-ups and a sack. Also a special teams standout, Rush blocked two punts on the season.

Cooke, Greywacz and Rose rounded out the defensive selections.

Cooke finished third on the team with 54 tackles. He had nine tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, and recorded a team-best six pass break-ups. The Brooklyn, NY native was selected as NEC Defensive Player of the Week following CCSU's 42-35 season-opening win over Bryant. He had 12 tackles, including two for loss, and a pass break-up in the win.

Greywacz ended his career with a 46-tackle season. He posted 6.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks, and had a pair of interceptions. Greywacz also returned a fumble recovery 21 yards for a touchdown against St. Francis (PA).

Rose led Central Connecticut with four interceptions. He had his biggest game as a Blue Devil against SFPA, intercepting two passes in the 36-0 victory. Rose took the second of his picks against the Red Flash to paydirt, going 85 yards for his first career touchdown. He was named NEC and ECAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week following the performance. The Hartford, CT native finished the season with 41 tackles and four pass break-ups.

Mallory was the only Blue Devil representative from the offensive side of the ball. Mallory guided the nation's eighth-ranked rushing offense, averaging 138.18 yards per game. He currently ranks fourth in the nation. The Buffalo, NY product posted 1,520 yards on the season, making him just the second player in CCSU history to eclipse 1,500 yards in a single-season. Also just the seventh player to record a 1,000-yard season, he now ranks sixth in the all-time annals with 1,893 career yards. Mallory also scored 15 touchdowns to lead CCSU. He became the 14th player to reach 100 career points.