NJAC NEWS ARCHIVE

 2004-05

November 19, 2004


ROWAN'S ORIHEL AND KEAN'S SKAKUM NAMED
NJAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR


KEAN'S ROQUE AND MSU'S FAMA SELECTED AS ROOKIE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR


Rowan University sophomore quarterback Mike Orihel and Kean University senior defensive lineman Steve Skakum have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively for the 2004 season.

The 2003 NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year, Orihel has completed 197 of 329 pass attempts for 2629 yards and 32 touchdowns. The current NJAC leader in passing yards per game (292.1), passer efficiency rating (155.5), and passing touchdowns (32), Orihel led the Profs to the 2004 NJAC Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. Rowan, seeded number one in its bracket, received a first round bye and will face the winner of the NCAA first round Curry vs. Hobart game in Glassboro on November 27. A five-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection in 2004, Orihel currently ranks 12th nationally in passer efficiency rating.

Skakum was tapped as the NJAC Defensive Player of the Year after accumulating 100 total tackles in ten games played on the season for the Cougars. In total, he notched 42 solo stops, 13 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Skakum currently leads the NJAC in tackles per game (10.0) while ranking second in the league in tackles for a loss per game (1.30).

Kean University freshman quarterback/punter A.J. Roque was named NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year after completing 134 of 238 pass attempts for 1958 yards and 10 touchdowns. A four-time NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week selection in 2004, Roque also was a first-team all-conference selection at punter after averaging 35.4 yards per punt on a conference-high 68 attempts during the season.

Montclair State University freshman linebacker Sal Fama was named NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year after posting individual statistics of 53 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, four interceptions, four pass breakups and three fumble recoveries. A two-time NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Week selection in 2004, Fama currently ranks 13th in the league in tackles with an average of 6.6 per game.

Rowan University head coach Jay Accorsi was named NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers after leading the Profs to an 8-2 regular season record and the 2004 NJAC Championship. In three seasons at the helm of the Rowan program, Accorsi has produced a 25-6 overall record while leading the Profs to two NJAC Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
 

2004 NJAC ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL TEAM