COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK ONE RECAP – ROWAN REHM NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Rock Hoffman
ROWAN’S ELIJAH REHM IS THE FOOTBALLSTORIES COLLEGE PLAYER OF THE WEEK.

The FootballStories College Football Player of the Week is Elijah Rehm from Rowan University. The junior wide receiver from Clayton, NJ transferred into Rowan from East Stroudsburg University and made an immediate impact on special teams for the Profs. In their 41-34 win in double overtime over Widener in the season opener on Thursday night, Rehm, who was the NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week, had a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns and another long return that set up a field goal. After the Pride had taken an initial 7-0 lead, Rehm took the ensuing kickoff back 83 yards to tie the score. He returned the opening kickoff of the second half 71 yards to set up a 35-yard field goal by Alex Boyko. In the fourth quarter, with Widener having just extended their lead to 31-24 on a field goal, he raced 100 yards to tie the game once more.

Rowan (1-0) is at Southern Virginia (0-1) this week while Widener (0-1) entertains Lycoming (0-1).

Other players who were under consideration for the Player of the Week were West Chester University linebacker Nate Barnes, quarterback Zach Bednarczyk of Villanova, quarterback Thomas Garlick from Ursinus, Daquay Harris-Winbush, a cornerback for Wesley, West Chester quarterback A.J. Long and Temple defensive end Quincy Roche.

Bednarczyk, the CAA Offensive Player of the Week, threw for three touchdowns in the Wildcats 19-17 upset of Temple. Villanova (1-0) plays at Lehigh (1-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Roche blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown and also got his hands on an extra point for the Owls (0-1) in their loss. Additionally, he had five tackles and a sack for Temple, who hosts Buffalo (1-0) on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Garlick had four touchdown passes as the Bears (1-0) beat Bethany 34-13. This Saturday, they have their home opener with Gettysburg College (0-1).

West Chester opened at Bentley with a 44-6 win on Thursday night. Long ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more for the Golden Rams (1-0) while compiling 245 all-purpose yards. Barnes was named PSAC-East Defensive Player of the Week with 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Their teammate, kicker Andrew Chegia, had four extra points and a 28-yard field goal to take home PSAC-East Special Teams Player of the Week award. Gannon University (0-1) will visit on Saturday on Hall of Fame Day at West Chester.

Wesley beat Delaware Valley (0-1) in a battle of highly-ranked Division III teams 34-10. Harris-Winbush earned NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors with 11 tackles, four pass breakups and a quarterback hurry. This week, Wolverines (1-0) have an early-season bye. They return to the field on Friday, September 14, against TCNJ (0-1) at home. The Aggies play on the road for the second week in a row when they visit UMass-Dartmouth.

TCNJ lost to FDU-Florham 35-21 on Friday night and host a nationally ranked Frostburg St (1-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Delaware (0-1) lost at home to Rhode Island, 21-19, on Thursday night. They look to rebound when Lafayette (0-1) visits Newark on Saturday.

Delaware State lost at Buffalo, 48-10. The Hornets (0-1) are on the road again Saturday at St. Francis (PA) (0-1).

Lincoln University (PA) was shutout at home 32-0 by Fayetteville State. The Lions (0-1) start a three-game road trip on Friday night at Central Connecticut State (0-1).

Follow @rockhoffman on Twitter

3 Sep 18 - College football, Football - Rock Hoffman - No Comments