Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Senior running back Jeff Mack and sophomore defensive back Dan Kelly were honored by the New England Football Conference on Monday after they helped Plymouth State University defeat MIT, 27-14, Saturday in Cambridge, Mass. Both players were named to the NEFC Weekly Honor Roll.

Mack (Milford) was recognized by the NEFC for the seventh time this season. Kelly (Londonderry) is a first-time honoree and the sixth different Panther defender to be honored. Saturday's victory helped PSU capture at least a share of the NEFC Boyd Division crown and clinch a berth in next week's NEFC Championship game.

Mack, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back, rushed for 221 yards on 31 carries (7.1 avg.) with two touchdowns against MIT. It was his fourth 200-yard rushing performance this season.

Mack has 1,515 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns this season. He ranks second in the NEFC in rushing and fourth in scoring. Mack has also moved into second place on PSU's single-season rushing list, trailing only Joe Dudek's senior season. Dudek rushed for 1,615 yards and scored 24 TDs in 1985.

Mack is second to Dudek in Plymouth State career rushing as well. Mack has 3,680 yards (5.7 avg.) and 41 touchdowns. Dudek finished his collegiate career (1982-85) with 5,560 yards rushing (7.1 avg.) and 76 TDs.

Kelly, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound cornerback, made four tackles (all solo) and intercepted two passes against MIT.

Kelly, who played in seven games as a reserve last year, has started all nine contests this season.  He has made 30 tackles, including 27 solo stops, and has seven pass break-ups and a blocked kick to go along with his two interceptions.

The Panthers (8-1 overall, 6-0 in the NEFC Boyd Division) will wrap up the regular season against Salve Regina at Currier Field (1 p.m.). Plymouth State has clinched a berth in the NEFC Championship game (Nov. 15) at the Bogan Division champion, which will be either Maine Maritime Academy or Bridgewater State College.