Moon Township, Pa. - For the second straight week, Michael Landers (Springdale, Pa. / Springdale) of the Robert Morris University football team was honored by the Northeast Conference Monday, as the junior safety was tabbed the NEC Defensive Player of the Week.
Joining Landers with accolades from the NEC is freshman wide receiver James O'Quinn (Vandergrift, Pa. / Kiski Area), who earned his second NEC Rookie of the Week award of the 2008 campaign.
In a 27-14 win over Central Connecticut State (11/1), Landers finished with eight tackles, including one for a loss of three yards, and three pass breakups. He also recorded his fifth interception of the year in the victory, a total that leads the NEC.
The 6'1", 210-pound Landers came up with a pair of big plays in the fourth quarter against the Blue Devils that helped preserve a 21-7 advantage for RMU. He broke up a Hunter Wanket pass intended for Josue Paul in the end zone to prevent a touchdown, and four plays later on 4th-and-1 from the Colonial one-yard line, Landers teamed with sophomore linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Sto-Rox) to stuff Wanket for no gain. Central Connecticut State was forced to turn the ball over on downs, and the Colonials marched 99 yards for a touchdown to increase their lead to 27-7.
On the 2008 campaign Landers ranks third for the Colonials in tackles with 63 and also owns seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He becomes just the third player in RMU history to earn back-to-back NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining former linebacker John O'Connell (1995-98), who did it in both the 1996 and 1997 seasons, and former defensive back John Rochford (1994-97).
O'Quinn, 6'2" and 170 pounds, was honored by the NEC after finishing with three catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in the win over Central Connecticut State. He hauled in a 58-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter that gave the Colonials an early 7-0 lead, and his 12-yard catch on 3rd-and-10 from the RMU 14-yard line gave Robert Morris a first en route to another touchdown.
The NEC leader in average yards per catch (21.4), O'Quinn leads the Colonials in receiving yards (470) while ranking second in receptions (22) and touchdown catches (4).
Led by Joe Walton, the only head coach in the 15-year history of the program, Robert Morris concludes the home portion of its 2008 schedule Saturday, Nov. 8, in search of its third straight win in Northeast Conference play by hosting Albany for a 1:00 p.m. contest at Joe Walton Stadium. The Colonials will conclude their 2008 season Saturday, Nov. 15, with a 1:00 p.m. tilt at in-state rival Saint Francis.
