Dec. 2, 1997 | Release # S171
Contact: Adam Levin Sports Information Director Phone #: (207) 786-6411 |
BATES FOOTBALL TRIO EARNS NESCAC POSTSEASON HONORS
LEWISTON, Maine -- Three members of the Bates College football team
have received post-season accolades from the New England Small Athletic
Conference (NESCAC).
First-year linebacker Bob Rosenthal of Walpole, Mass., was
named NESCAC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Rosenthal was third on the team
this season with 89 tackles (27 solo). He led the Bobcats with three
forced fumbles and was second on the team with five sacks. Rosenthal was
honored as conference Defensive Co-Player of the Week for his
performance on Oct. 18 against Middlebury College. In that game, he led
the Bobcats with 16 tackles, 10 of them solo, both season highs. Rosenthal
had 1.5 sacks, the first of which forced a fumble that he recovered and
returned 37 yards for Bates' first defensive touchdown of the season.
Rosenthal is the second straight Bates linebacker to win the award,
joining high school teammate Frost Hubbard. The two played on the
1995 Massachusetts State Division II B Super Bowl champions at Walpole
High School. Rosenthal spent a year at Blair Academy in New Jersey before
attending Bates. "Bob is a great young man to coach," Bates head coach
Rick Pardy said. "He can play sideline to sideline or fill gaps up the
middle. I don't think there was any dispute that he was best defensive
rookie in the conference this year."
Seniors P.J. McGrail of Westwood, Mass., a running back, and
Peter Marino of Holliston, Mass., an offensive lineman, were
both named the NESCAC All-Conference team. After missing much of the 1996
season to injury, McGrail rushed for 745 yards and four touchdowns on 180
carries this season, leading the conference with an average of 93.1 yards
per game. He became the first Bates player to lead the conference in a
major offensive catagory since teams began playing NESCAC opponents
exclusively in 1992. McGrail's rushing total was the best by a Bobcat
since All-American Chris Hickey '88 set the school record of 1288 yards in
1987. "P.J. was a threat every time he touched the ball this season,"
Pardy said. "After injuries he suffered last season, we we very fortunate
to have him return and perform at the high level he did."
Marino, a left guard who was a prime factor in McGrail's
conference rushing title, is listed at 6-7, 305 pounds. He has been
scouted by several NFL teams this season, including the New England
Patriots and New York Jets. "Peter was clearly one of the premier
offensive linemen in the NESCAC," Pardy said. "His improvement from last
season to this was immense, and he displayed outstanding senior leadership
as well."
Rosenthal is a 1997 graduate of Blair Academy, Blairstown, N.J.
McGrail is a 1994 graduate of Westwood High School. Marino is a 1994
graduate of Holliston High School.