Trinity's McGrath Earns Three Different Football Player Of The Year Awards
Bantams Collect Numerous Post-Season Honors On The Gridiron
Hartford, Conn., Jan. 28, 2009 - Trinity College football senior captain QB Eric McGrath (Lynn, Mass.) highlighted this year's post-season award season in New England, as he was selected the 2008 Boston Globe Gold Helmet Player of the Year for NCAA Divisions II and III, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Northeast Player of the Year, and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Offensive Player of the Year. Fellow senior tri-captain Tyler Berry (East Lyme, Conn.) was selected as the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year and Head Coach Jeff Devanney (East Lyme, Conn.) was named as the 2008 NESCAC Coach of the Year and as the All American Football Foundation Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award recipient.
The Bantams posted an 8-0 record this fall and have gone undefeated in four of the last six seasons, compiling a 44-4 record during that span. Trinity, which finished ranked No. 1 in New England and is ranked No. 9 in the ECAC/Lambert Meadowlands Poll, and climbed as high as No. 23 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III National Poll, completed the 11th perfect season in school history with a 38-14 win over the Wesleyan University Cardinals on November 8.
Berry was also selected to the D3Football.com All-East Region Third Team, while both McGrath and Berry were named to the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Star Team, and McGrath, Berry, and senior G Chris Cozza (Westbrook, Conn.) each graced the ECAC All-Northeast Squad and the All-NESCAC First Team. These three, along with senior tri-captain S Conor Quinn (Milford, Mass.), senior WR Connor Wells (Haddam, Conn.), junior RB Oliver Starnes (Ledgewood, N.J.), and sophomore C Matt Santora (Westport, Conn.) gave Trinity eight players on the All-NESCAC First Team, while senior TE Andrew McDowell (Bethesda, Md.), senior CB Harryl Smith (Ridgewood, N.J.), senior PK Adam Cox (Garden City, N.Y.), junior DE Kyle Williams (Bethesda, Md.), sophomore WR Michael Galligan (Shoreham, N.Y.), and sophomore OLB's Matt Allen (Agoura Hills, Calif.) and Ben Sherry (Wayland, Mass.) all graced All-NESCAC Second Team. Wells was also Trinity's representative on the NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
McGrath started all eight games for the Bantams and completed 163 passes (tied Trinity record) in 282 attempts (57.8 %) for 2,206 yards (new Trinity and NESCAC record) and 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. McGrath finished second in NESCAC with a 134.43 efficiency rating and third in the league with 2,128 yards in total offense. He added one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. McGrath earned NESCAC Player of the Week honors in each of his three seasons as Trinity's starting quarterback, including this fall for his heroic effort in a 28-27 overtime win against Tufts. In that game, McGrath set new Trinity records for completions, passing yards, and total offense in a 28-27 win in overtime against Tufts. He completed 34 of 57 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns. McGrath also set a new Trinity record this fall with 470 passing yards in a comeback win at Hamilton and holds the Bantam record for longest pass with a 99-yard touchdown toss in 2007. For his career, McGrath completed 391 passes in 735 attempts for 5,292 yards, 46 touchdowns and 25 interceptions with an efficiency rating of 127.5. He also ran for three scores and caught a pair of touchdown passes. A graduate of Lynn Classical High School, McGrath was also a pitcher on Trinity's NCAA Division III National Champion baseball team. He is majoring in economics at Trinity and is the son of Sharon and Pat McGrath.
Berry anchored the Bantam defense that finished tied for first in the NESCAC with 17.5 points allowed per game. He had a team-high 75 tackles (4th in NESCAC) with 43 solo hits, eight tackles for loss (9th in NESCAC), four sacks (9th in NESCAC), two interceptions, and three pass breakups. Berry earned NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice in his career, including this fall for his fine effort in a 30-13 win against Amherst. In his fine career, Berry totaled 184 tackles (94 solo), 22 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, eight pass breakups, and 11 sacks. A graduate of East Lyme High School, Berry is majoring in history at Trinity. He is the son of Kara and Tim Berry.
Cozza, a three-year starter, started all eight contests at guard this fall on a line which allowed just 12 sacks and helped the Bantam ball carriers average 142.6 yards per game. A graduate of Rocky Hill High School, Cozza is majoring in mathematics and economics at Trinity. He is the son of Patrice and Tony Cozza. Santora, who stepped in to start every game at center, is a graduate of Staples High School. He is the son of Denise Lamoureaux and Steve Santora.
Quinn finished second on the team with 47 tackles (33 solo) and added two interceptions and four pass breakups as the starting strong safety. He earned NESCAC Player of the Week honors and D3Football.com National Team of the Week honors for his two-interception effort in a 20-17 win at Williams. Quinn completes his collegiate career with 79 tackles (49 solo), three interceptions, and five pass breakups. A graduate of Milford High School, Quinn is majoring in public policy and law at Trinity. He is the son of Kim and Jeff Carpenter.
Wells totaled 45 receptions (6th in NESCAC) for 715 yards (4th in NESCAC) with four receiving touchdowns. Wells received NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week honors catching seven passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the final 17 minutes of a 20-15 triumph at Hamilton. He is also a three-year letterwinner for the Bantam lacrosse team and a NESCAC All-Academic honoree in both football and lacrosse. Wells finished his career with 68 catches for 970 yards and six touchdowns, along with 35 punt returns for 241 yards. A graduate of the Avon Old Farms School, Wells is majoring biology at Trinity. He is the son of Marge and Richard Wells.
Starnes was the workhorse back for the Bantam rushing attack that finished second-best in the league. Starnes rushed 136 times for 701 yards (3rd in NESCAC) with nine rushing touchdowns and added 16 pass receptions for 208 yards with two scores. He finished fourth in the NESCAC with 113.6 all-purpose yards per game, and second in the league with 11 touchdowns. A graduate of the Roxbury High School, Starnes is majoring in political science at Trinity. He is the son of Kim Jones and Larry Starnes.
McDowell played a pivotal role as blocker in Trinity's solid rushing attack and also caught 17 passes yards for 174 yards. McDowell finished his career with 33 catches for 433 yards and two touchdowns. A graduate of the Landon School, McDowell is majoring in economics at Trinity. He is the son of Suzanne and Bob McDowell.
Smith notched 27 hits (19 solo) with 1.5 tackles and team-highs of six pass breakups (2nd in NESCAC) and four interceptions (4th in NESCAC). Smith finishes his fine collegiate career with 67 tackles (47 solo), five interceptions, and 12 pass breakups. A graduate of Ridgewood High School, Smith is majoring in political science at Trinity. He is the son of Felecia Smith.
Cox, a 2007 All-NESCAC First Team selection, finished ninth in the NESCAC and third among kickers in scoring with 5.3 per game with seven field goals (3rd in NESCAC) and a field goal percentage of 63.6 (7-for-11). He is also a three-year letterwinner for the Bantam lacrosse team and a NESCAC All-Academic honoree in both football and lacrosse. Cox converted on 48 PAT's in 53 attempts during his career and made 15 field goals in 21 tries with a long of 48 (tied College record). He tallied 93 total points in his career. A graduate of Garden City High School, Cox is majoring in economics at Trinity. He is the son of Joan and Bob Cox.
Galligan led Trinity in all receiving categories with 48 catches (2nd in NESCAC) for 720 yards (3rd in NESCAC) and seven touchdown receptions. A graduate of the Williston-Northampton School in Massachusetts, he is the son of Mary and Paul Galligan.
Williams had 37 tackles (23 solo), eight tackles for loss (9th in NESCAC), and four sacks (9th in NESCAC) as a defensive end for the Bantams. Williams is a graduate of the Landon School and is the son of Tina and Arthur Williams. Allen, who missed 2007 with an injury, notched 45 hits (31 solo) with 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. A graduate of Oaks Christian High School, he is the son Stacey and Darrell Allen. Sherry totaled 40 tackles (29 solo) with 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and two pass breakups, while also rushing for a total of 80 yards as the up-back on three fake punts. A graduate of Wayland High School, he is the son of Kathy and Jay Sherry.
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