PSU Football player named ECAC Northeast Rookie of the Year

PLYMOUTH, N.H. - The leading receiver on the Plymouth State University football team was recognized Monday with a major award from the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

Freshman tight end Adam Long (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) was named ECAC Division III Northeast Rookie of the Year.  The ECAC Northeast Football All-Stars recognize the top Division III players in New England.  Long will be honored on Feb. 8, 2005, at the annual Eastern College Football Awards Banquet presented by FieldTurf at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J.

A 6'2", 209-pound tight end, Long enjoyed a terrific rookie campaign for the Panthers. He led the team in receptions and receiving yards, hauling in 28 catches for 275 yards (9.8 yard average) and one touchdown. He was the only player to catch at least one pass in all nine Panther games, including six in the season finale at Mount Ida and five earlier in the season at UMass Dartmouth. Plymouth State, a Division III independent in football, finished the 2004 campaign with a 1-8 overall record.

Long's honor marked the second straight year that a Plymouth State freshman received a top rookie award in football under head coach Paul Castonia.  Last season, Dan Fallon (Manchester, N.H.) was voted Freedom Football Conference Rookie of the Year.

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