Football | 10/29/2024 8:33:53 AM
Alfred University wide receiver
Dion Anderson, SUNY Morrisville defensive lineman
David Kelley and SUNY Brockport cornerback
Elijah Grooms were named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Anderson was honored for a second time, as 10 different Empire 8 players/position groups have combined to earn 13 D3football.com Team of the Week honors in 2024.
Anderson, who was named the Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, broke multiple career-highs as he not only led the Saxons in receiving, but also rushing and all-purpose yards as Alfred earned a hard-fought 38-34 win at Utica Saturday. Anderson scored three of the Saxons' five touchdowns on Saturday, including the game-winning, 12-yard touchdown catch with 26 seconds remaining in the game. His first score of the game was an 11-yard run to end the second quarter. Anderson had a long run of 53 yards as he totaled a game-high 93 yards rushing on five attempts. His longest reception was a 39-yard touchdown in the third quarter as he totaled a game-high 170 yards receiving on eight catches.
A two-time D3football.com Player of the Week this season, Anderson is second nationally, averaging 197.43 all-purpose yards per game. He has 47 catches for 784 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, 15 carries for 144 rushing yards and a touchdown and 454 yards on 15 kick returns with one score. Anderson leads the Empire 8 in receptions, receiving yards and kickoff return yardage and is fourth in total touchdows.
Kelley, a senior from Macdeon, NY, led Morrisville's defensive efforts Saturday in the loss against Brockport, posting a season high nine total tackles that included five for a loss of 12 total yards. Likewise, Kelley registered a sack for a loss of four yards in the contest, holding Brockport to their second lowest point total of the season. He now leads the Empire 8 with 11.5 tackles for a loss and 1.64 tackles for loss per game and has 2.5 sacks on the season.
Grooms, the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week, put together a career day in the Golden Eagles' 24-0 win over Morrisville, helping the defense extend its program record with a fourth straight shutout. From the secondar,y he had two interceptions and forced a fumble in the game. His second interception sealed the win, as he ran it back 35 yards for touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Grooms also chipped in with three total tackles (two solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss. Grooms is tied for second in the league with three interceptions.
Grooms and the Brockport defensive are in the midst of an historic run, with four straight shutouts, all in league play, as they have out-scored league foes, 163-0. Overall, Brockport's defensive has allowed just 44 points in seven games this season, which leads all of Division III. The Golden Eagles are also in the top-10 in several defensive categories, including rush defense, red zone defensive and total defense.
League play continues for all eight Empire 8 teams on Saturday, Nov. 2. Brockport heads to Utica University to take on the Pioneers at noon, while No. 2 SUNY Cortland hosts Hartwick, Alfred hosts St. John Fisher University and SUNY Morrisville welcomes Hilbert College, all at 1 p.m. Both Cortland and Brockport look to remain unbeaten in league play.
2024 Empire 8 D3football.com Team of the Week Recipients
Oct. 29 (Week 8) - Dion Anderson, WR, Alfred
Oct. 29 (Week 8) - David Kelley, DT, SUNY Cortland
Oct. 29 (Week 8) - Elijah Grooms, CB, SUNY Brockport
Oct. 22 (Week 7) - Nate Graser, Aidan Glynn, Ryan Bitka, Jack McGrath, Cody Aikey, OL, SUNY Cortland
Oct. 8 (Week 5) - Jaden AlfanoStJohn, WR, SUNY Cortland
Oct. 8 (Week 5) - Mike Talbert, Jr., LB, SUNY Brockport
Oct. 1 (Week 4) - Alex Coffey, TE, Alfred
Sept. 24 (Week 3) - Jaden AlfanoStJohn, KR/WR, SUNY Cortland
Sept. 24 (Week 3) - Kyle Haettich, S, SUNY Brockport
Sept. 24 (Week 3) - Quamel Jarvis, TE, SUNY Morrisville
Sept. 24 (Week 3) - John Stroughn, DT, Utica
Sept. 17 (Week 2) - Dion Anderson, WR, Alfred
Sept. 17 (Week 2) - Kevin Whalen, Aidan Glynn, Ryan Bitka, Jack McGrath, Cody Aikey, OL, SUNY Cortland
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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