HADLEY, Mass. — The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) announced its weekly football award winners today with Williams running back Jack Fabiano and defensive back Wyatt Cotton selected as the Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, following the Ephs' 34-25 victory over Hamilton on Saturday. Fabiano was also recognized by the New England Football Writers Association (NEFWA) as their Gold Helmet Award winner as the region's top player from Division II and III this week.
A first-year from Topsfield, Massachusetts, Fabiano proved to be unstoppable as the rookie ran for 257 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries (9.9-yard average), with all three scores and 213 of those yards coming in the second half. The 257 rushing yards are the second-most ever by an Eph player, 17 shy of the program record set by Sean Rorke '93 against Wesleyan 35 years ago. Fabiano also caught a pair of passes for 15 yards, but two of his most important plays barely registered in the box score.
With five minutes to play and Williams holding a 27-19 lead, an Eph receiver had the ball stripped from his grasp at the Continental 25. The defender had nothing but green between him and the end zone, but Fabiano chased him down and tackled him near midfield, thwarting a potential game-tying touchdown. Then in the final minute with Williams up by just two, a fumbled handoff at the Eph 22 could have led to a game-winning field goal for Hamilton, but Fabiano was able to cover the ball up. On the very next play, he bolted 83 yards for the game-clinching score.
Cotton, a senior from Edgewater, Maryland, had a pair of tackles and pass breakups from his safety position, but he made one of the game's most crucial plays near the end of the contest. After the Continentals closed the gap to two at 27-25 with under two minutes on the clock, they lined up for an onside kick. The kick skimmed on the ground toward the left sideline, then suddenly took a right turn and bounded down the field as players from both teams tried to run it down. Cotton finally corralled the ball at the Williams 22, which was well within the range of the Hamilton kicker who had converted two field goals in the first half from 37 and 33 yards.
These are the fourth and fifth weekly awards given to an Eph football player this fall. Senior Leonardo Maiuolo was the Special Teams Player of the Week after the season opener, and first-year Drew Weiler and junior Andrew Kreakie were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week two weeks ago.
Earning a spot on the league's honor roll was junior linebacker Luke Mangini, who led Williams with nine tackles, one assisted tackle for a loss and a pass breakup on the game's final play.
Williams (5-2) has two games remaining against its Little Three opponents, beginning with Wesleyan (6-1) at Corwin Stadium in Middletown, Connecticut, this Saturday at 1 p.m. Last year, the Cardinals nipped the Ephs in Williamstown in overtime, 34-28, their fourth straight win in the series and 11th in the last 12 meetings, though Williams holds the all-time lead at 77-48-5. The game will be streamed live by Northeast Sports Network through the online portal at nsnsports.net.
