MONTCLAIR STATE PLACE 16 MEMBERS ON ALL-NJAC TEAM

Montclair , NJ (11/21/07) – The Montclair State football team was well-represented with 16 members as the New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its 2007 All-Conference Team on Wednesday. The Red Hawks had five First-Team selections, five players chosen to the Second Team and six receiving Honorable Mention accolades.

Defensive lineman Derrell Sapp (Long Branch, NJ / Long Branch) and running back Ryan McCoach (Rockaway, NJ / Morris Hills) each earned their third consecutive First-Team honor. Linebacker Cornell Hunt (North Brunswick, NJ / North Brunswick) was named for the second straight season while tight end Jeremy Mercer (Leonardo, NJ / Middletown South) and offensive lineman Michael Farrington (Fairview, NJ / Cliffside Park) each collected their first First-Team honor.

Montclair State finished 9-2 this past season, the ninth time that the Red Hawks have won nine or more games in a season. The Red Hawks capped off the campaign by beating Albright College, 17-13 in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl, MSU's third ECAC championship.

McCoach closed out an outstanding career last week as he earned MVP honors in the South Atlantic Bowl. A two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection, McCoach ran for 1,005 yards and 14 touchdowns as he became just the second back in school history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. Despite missing two games with a shoulder injury, McCoach led the NJAC in rushing (111.7), scoring (9.3 ppg), touchdowns (14) and all-purpose yardage (121.4). The leading rusher in the league for the last three years, McCoach closed out his career with 2,802 yards - fifth all time and his 28 career rushing touchdowns are the third-best.

Sapp collected 41 tackles and played a large role in the success of the Montclair State defensive unit. In addition to his tackle total, Sapp had seven tackles for loss (38 yards) and had 3.5 sacks to go along with a forced fumble and pass breakup. He also had one blocked kick as he knocked away an extra point in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.

Hunt led the NJAC in tackles for the second straight year as he posted 127 stops (11.5 per game) as he became the first MSU player to record consecutive 100-tackle campaigns since Paul Cioffi in 1989-90. A two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week, Hunt had double-digit totals in nine of MSU's 11 contest this season and also added nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and three pass breakups. Against Springfield College, Hunt made an astounding 20 tackles in the Red Hawks' 33-30 upset of the then No. 9 team in the nation. Hunt's tackle number was the seventh-highest single-season total in school history.

Mercer helped the MSU offense as both a blocker and pass receiver. The 6-4 junior pulled in seven catches which resulted in three touchdowns. In addition to he offensive contributions, Mercer played a key role in the Red Hawks special teams with 10 blocked kicks (seven extra points, two field goals and a punt) setting a new single-season record.

Farrington earned his second honor as he provided many of holes for the MSU backs throughout the season. Farrington was an All-NJAC Second-Team selection in 2006.

Senior Vin Varcadipane (Totowa, NJ / Passaic Valley), wide receiver A.J. Letizia (Dumont, NJ / Dumont), offensive lineman Kevin Michel (Asbury Park, NJ / Asbury Park), defensive lineman Gary Andrewshetsko (Parlin, NJ / Sayreville) and punter Michael Lajterman (Ramsey, NJ / Ramsey) were all named Second Team.

Varcadipane earned All-Conference honors for the third time in his career while Letizia had a solid season in which he caught 38 passes for 798 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked third in the NJAC in receiving yards per game. Michel also collected his third All-NJAC accolade while Andrewshetsko was chosen for a second time. A co-captain, Andrewshetsko finished with 33 tackles, including four sacks and a fumble recovery. Latjerman averaged 35 yards per punt and pinnned MSU opponents insdie the 20 yardline on 15 occasions.

Quarterback Michael Jump (Toms River, NJ / Toms River South), offensive lineman Rich Tuero (Lyndhurst, NJ / Lyndhurst) and Jason Wombough (Keansburg, NJ / Keansburg); defensive lineman Vin Iachetta (Spring Lake Heights, NJ / Manasquan), linebacker Russ Comune (Pompton Plains, NJ / Pequannock) and safety Derek DePascale (Butler, NJ / Butler) were all named Honorable Mention.

Jump was named for a second consecutive year as he completed his final MSU season going 147-of-308 through the air for 2,230 yards and 16 touchdowns, including three contests with three or more TD passes. Tuero and Wombough both earned their first All-Conference honor while Iachetta had an outstanding year with 27 tackles, including five sacks, an interceptions and two pass breakups. Comune finished fourth on the team with 59 stops, including a team-best 13.5 (for loss of 52 yards) and three sacks to go along with an interception, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. DePascale was second on the Red Hawks with 76 tackles ad added two interceptions and six pass breakups from his safety position.