For the first time this season, three members of the United States Merchant Marine Academy football Mariners earned Liberty League honors for their respective performances in leading Kings Point to a 27-21 come-from-behind victory versus St. Lawrence University in the third Annual Hoffman Cup.
Geoff Troy, for the sixth time of the season, captured a conference honor as he was named co-Specialist of the Week. Troy had a superb day for the Mariners on Saturday as the freshman converted 4-of-5 field goal attempts with his lone miss from what would have been a new career long of 47 yards getting blocked early in the second quarter. The Gainesville, FL native made good on field goals from 38, 26, 25 and 29 yards, respectively. He concluded the day with a total of 13 points.
With his first make of 38 yards on the opening drive of the game, Troy set the all-time single-season record for field goals in a season. The nation's top kicker is 18-of-20 on the year, with both of his misses coming as the result of a block. He also punted six times for an average of 33.2 yards.
Sophomore linebacker and leading Liberty League tackler, Garron Edgington earned his second Liberty League honor of the season upon being named co-Defensive Player of the Week. Edgington was all over the field the Saturday afternoon before last. He notched a game-high 15 tackles, including eight solo stops.
Freshman Brandon Brooks earned the first weekly honor of his career as the result of his heroics on Saturday. Brooks, the co-Rookie of the Week, returned a blocked punt 40 yards for the game-winning score with 28 seconds left to give USMMA the win. He also notched his first career interception.
Geoff Troy's four field goal performance on Saturday, Nov. 5 helped him maintain his status as the nation's top kicker in that week's NCAA Division-III Football rankings.
En route to being named co-Specialist of the Week by the Liberty League, his sixth conference honor of the year, and to the ECAC Northwest Honor Roll, Troy set the all-time USMMA record for field goals in a season with his first conversion Saturday afternoon. He is now 18-for-20 on the year with both misses resulting in blocks.
Garron Edgington was named the Hoffman Cup Defensive MVP.
Other Mariners ranked nationally include Dave Taliaferro, who is 18th in forced fumbles, while injured quarterback Chuck Kleinschnitz is 44th in total offense.
As a team, USMMA post two sub-100 rankings. The Mariners are 67th in pass offense with a 219.8 yards per game average, while ranking 93rd in rush defense (138.9).