Shafnisky named ECAC Offensive Player of the Year; three Mountain Hawks named ECAC All-Stars
12/8/2016 3:43:00 PM | Football
ECACÂ Release
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior quarterback Nick Shafnisky has been named ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the way for six Mountain Hawks who were recognized by the ECAC on Thursday. In addition to Shafnisky's major award, senior offensive lineman Zach Duffy, junior wide receiver Troy Pelletier and sophomore kicker/punter Ed Mish were named first team ECAC All-Stars. Senior linebacker Colton Caslow and junior wide receiver Gatlin Casey were honorable mention all-star selections.
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In all, six of Lehigh's seven first team All-Patriot League selections last month garnered some sort of ECAC recognition.
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The Patriot League's Offensive Player of the Year, Shafnisky is Lehigh's second ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, and the first since Chris Lum won the award in 2011. A dual threat who helped lead the Mountain Hawks to their 11th Patriot League football championship, Shafnisky completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 2,489 yards and 20 touchdowns, compared to just seven interceptions. He also ranked second on the Mountain Hawks in rushing, with 302 yards and 11 touchdowns on 100 carries. Shafnisky accounted for 2,791 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns despite being limited to 8.5 regular season games under center.
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Duffy started 11 of 12 games for Lehigh at right tackle and was the leader of an offensive line that paved the way for Lehigh to set school records for points (466) and total offense (5,806) in a season. He blocked for Shafnisky and sophomore Brad Mayes while also helping sophomore running back Dominick Bragalone eclipse 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight year.
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Pelletier led the Patriot League and ranked among the nation's top receivers, with 96 receptions for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had three double-digit reception games and seven 100-plus yard receiving games in 2016 as he continues to climb Lehigh's career receiving lists.
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Mish earned first team All-Patriot League honors as a kicker and punter and was recognized for both by the ECAC as well. He set a school record for extra points in a season, going 62-for-62 and was 6-for-10 on field goals as well. Twenty-seven of Mish's 81 kickoffs went for touchbacks this season. Mish also took over Lehigh's punting duties, averaging 43 yards on 42 punts with 10 downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
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Despite missing two games, Caslow tied for the team lead with 72 tackles and also topped the Mountain Hawks with 10 tackles for loss. Casey enjoyed a breakout season with 62 catches for 1,135 yards and a team-best 14 touchdowns. He also averaged 24.5 yards on 32 kickoff returns.
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Prior to 2016, the last Lehigh football player to earn ECAC All-Star laurels was wide receiver Lee Kurfis in 2013. Shafnisky's major award marks the second straight year a Lehigh player won a major award from the ECAC. Bragalone was the ECAC Offensive Rookie of the Year last season.
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The other ECAC major award winners were Colgate's Pat Afriyie (Defensive Player of the Year), Towson's Shane Simpson (Offensive Rookie), Marist's Peter Delatour (Defensive Rookie) and Chris Vilarrial from Saint Francis (Pa.) (Coach of the Year).
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The Mountain Hawks finished the 2016 campaign with a 9-3 overall record that included a perfect 6-0 Patriot League mark.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior quarterback Nick Shafnisky has been named ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the way for six Mountain Hawks who were recognized by the ECAC on Thursday. In addition to Shafnisky's major award, senior offensive lineman Zach Duffy, junior wide receiver Troy Pelletier and sophomore kicker/punter Ed Mish were named first team ECAC All-Stars. Senior linebacker Colton Caslow and junior wide receiver Gatlin Casey were honorable mention all-star selections.
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In all, six of Lehigh's seven first team All-Patriot League selections last month garnered some sort of ECAC recognition.
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The Patriot League's Offensive Player of the Year, Shafnisky is Lehigh's second ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, and the first since Chris Lum won the award in 2011. A dual threat who helped lead the Mountain Hawks to their 11th Patriot League football championship, Shafnisky completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 2,489 yards and 20 touchdowns, compared to just seven interceptions. He also ranked second on the Mountain Hawks in rushing, with 302 yards and 11 touchdowns on 100 carries. Shafnisky accounted for 2,791 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns despite being limited to 8.5 regular season games under center.
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Duffy started 11 of 12 games for Lehigh at right tackle and was the leader of an offensive line that paved the way for Lehigh to set school records for points (466) and total offense (5,806) in a season. He blocked for Shafnisky and sophomore Brad Mayes while also helping sophomore running back Dominick Bragalone eclipse 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight year.
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Pelletier led the Patriot League and ranked among the nation's top receivers, with 96 receptions for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had three double-digit reception games and seven 100-plus yard receiving games in 2016 as he continues to climb Lehigh's career receiving lists.
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Mish earned first team All-Patriot League honors as a kicker and punter and was recognized for both by the ECAC as well. He set a school record for extra points in a season, going 62-for-62 and was 6-for-10 on field goals as well. Twenty-seven of Mish's 81 kickoffs went for touchbacks this season. Mish also took over Lehigh's punting duties, averaging 43 yards on 42 punts with 10 downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
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Despite missing two games, Caslow tied for the team lead with 72 tackles and also topped the Mountain Hawks with 10 tackles for loss. Casey enjoyed a breakout season with 62 catches for 1,135 yards and a team-best 14 touchdowns. He also averaged 24.5 yards on 32 kickoff returns.
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Prior to 2016, the last Lehigh football player to earn ECAC All-Star laurels was wide receiver Lee Kurfis in 2013. Shafnisky's major award marks the second straight year a Lehigh player won a major award from the ECAC. Bragalone was the ECAC Offensive Rookie of the Year last season.
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The other ECAC major award winners were Colgate's Pat Afriyie (Defensive Player of the Year), Towson's Shane Simpson (Offensive Rookie), Marist's Peter Delatour (Defensive Rookie) and Chris Vilarrial from Saint Francis (Pa.) (Coach of the Year).
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The Mountain Hawks finished the 2016 campaign with a 9-3 overall record that included a perfect 6-0 Patriot League mark.
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Players Mentioned
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