Delaware Standouts Pierce, Hawkins Earn Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week Honors
November 1, 2011
File Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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RICHMOND, Va. -- University of Delaware football players captured half of the weekly Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week honors announced Monday as sophomore running back Andrew Pierce (bottom left) was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Week and sophomore cornerback and kick returner Travis Hawkins (top right) was selected as the CAA Special Teams Player of the Week.
Both Pierce and Hawkins were honored for their outstanding performances Saturday night as the No. 21 ranked Blue Hens knocked off host and No. 13 ranked Towson 35-30 in a key CAA matchup at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Md.
The Blue Hens (5-4, 3-3 CAA), who snapped a two-game losing streak, knocked off the Tigers for the fifth straight year and moved back into the NCAA playoff picture. Towson (6-2, 4-1 CAA) lost its first conference game of the season and lost for the first time in five home games this season.
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Delaware, which moved up to No. 16 in this week’s The Sports Network Top 25 poll, is idle this week. The next game is slated for Nov. 12 when the Hens host Richmond for Homecoming and the regular season home finale at Delaware Stadium. Great tickets are still available at www.bluehens.com or by calling 302-831-2257.
Pierce earned CAA weekly honors for the eighth time in his two-year career, setting a conference record for most weekly honors earned in a career. The 2010 All-American and CAA Rookie of the Year was previously tied with current William & Mary running back Jonathan Grimes.
Pierce, a fitness management major from Bridgeton, N.J. (Cumberland Regional High School), enjoyed one of his best performances of the season as he carried the ball a career-high 34 times for a season-high 158 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner on a five-yard burst with two minutes left in the third quarter. He added scoring runs of 23 yards and 13 yards during the contest and also caught a pass for nine yards. Pierce ranks No. 2 in the CAA in rushing with 955 yards and is second in touchdowns with 13.
Hawkins, a sophomore from Rockville, Md. (Quince Orchard HS) and a first-year transfer from the University of Maryland, sparked the Hens’ special teams effort as he returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Hens a 22-16 lead. Delaware returned five kickoffs for a school-record 240 yards on the night and the total of three returns of 50 or more yards also set a new UD single game standard. Freshman Michael Johnson also added returns of 80 and 51 yards for the Hens.
Hawkins, who also leads the Hens in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (9), ranks among the national leaders in passes defended. In addition to his kick return vs. Towson, he also registered eight tackles vs. the Tigers.
Also honored by the CAA were Massachusetts linebacker Perry McIntyre, who was named Defensive Player of the Week, and Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who was selected as Rookie of the Week.
